BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Status\, statistics\, and recent research highlights from Echidna DTSTART:20211125T063200Z DTEND:20211125T063300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4356@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chin-Wei Wang (NSRRC)\, James Hester (ANSTO)\, Max A vdeev (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation\, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering)\n\nThe Echidna high-resolution powder diff ractometer remains a reliable and productive ACNS instrument contributing annually to about 50 published studies done on a wide range of topics\, fr om magnetic\, energy and planetary materials to cultural heritage and addi tive manufacturing. We will discuss how Echidna has been affected by COVID -19 measures\, latest and planned developments\, user programme statistics \, and recent research highlights.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ev ent/146/contributions/4356/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4356/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural studies of solid-state ionic conductors at the limits o f diffraction and beyond DTSTART:20211124T000000Z DTEND:20211124T002000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4392@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris Ling (University of Sydney)\n\nThe structures of solid-state ionic conductors are a compromise between long-range (and h ence long-term) lattice stability and short-range coordinative flexibility . To rationally design improved versions for applications such as fuel cel ls and batteries\, we need to understand how this compromise is reached. D iffraction methods alone are inadequate – whether using X-rays or neutro ns\, *ex situ* or *operando*\, conventional crystallography or total scatt ering analysis – because of their dynamic nature. The time-averaged stru cture is not the whole story. In this talk I will show how we use experime ntal X-ray and neutron spectroscopy\, and computational structure and dyna mics calculations\, to supplement diffraction when studying solid-state ox ide\, proton and lithium ionic conductors. We can then validate the insigh ts gained by making targeted chemical modifications and testing their effe cts on structure and functional physical properties.\n\nhttps://events.syn chrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4392/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4392/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural\, Biochemical and Functional characterization of Salmon ella BcfH: an unusual Dsb-like fimbrial protein DTSTART:20211124T034500Z DTEND:20211124T040000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4273@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Makrina Totsika\, Jennifer Martin (University of Que ensland)\, Anthony D. Verderosa (Anthony )\, Andrew Whitten (ANSTO)\, Jas on Paxman (La Trobe University)\, Carlos F. Santos-Martin (La Trobe Unive rsity)\, Lilian Hor (La Trobe University)\, Pramod Subedi (La Trobe Univer sity)\, Begoña Heras (LA Trobe University)\, Santosh Panjikar (Australian Synchrotron)\, Yaoqin Hong (2Centre for Immunology and Infection Control \, School of Biomedical Sciences\, Queensland University of Technology)\, Geqing Wang (La Trobe University)\n\nBacteria use folding enzymes to produ ce functional virulence factors. These foldases include the Dsb family of proteins\, which catalyze a key step in the protein-folding pathway\, the introduction of disulfide bonds. The Dsb oxidative system\, which includes an oxidative DsbA/DsbB pathway and an isomerase DsbC/DsbD pathway\, is pr esent in numerous bacterial species. Conventionally\, Dsb proteins have sp ecific redox functions with monomeric and dimeric Dsbs exclusively catalyz ing thiol oxidation and disulfide isomerization\, respectively. This contr asts with the eukaryotic disulfide forming machinery where the modular thi oredoxin protein PDI mediates thiol oxidation and disulfide reshuffling. I n this study\, we identified and structurally and biochemically characteri zed a novel Dsb-like protein from Salmonella enterica termed BcfH and defi ned its role in virulence. Encoded by a highly conserved bcf (bovine colon ization factor) fimbrial operon\, the Dsb-like enzyme BcfH forms a trimeri c structure\, exceptionally uncommon among the large and evolutionary cons erved thioredoxin superfamily. BcfH also displays very unusual catalytic r edox centers\, including an unwound α-helix holding the redox active site and a trans proline instead of the conserved cis proline active site loop . Remarkably\, BcfH displays both thiol oxidase and disulfide isomerase ac tivities contributing to Salmonella fimbrial biogenesis. Typically\, oligo merization of bacterial Dsb proteins modulates their redox function\, with monomeric and dimeric Dsbs mediating thiol oxidation and disulfide isomer ization\, respectively. The present study demonstrates a further structura l and functional malleability in the thioredoxin-fold protein family. BcfH trimeric architecture and unconventional catalytic sites permit multiple redox functions emulating in bacteria the eukaryotic protein disulfide iso merase dual oxido-reductase activity.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au /event/146/contributions/4273/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4273/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Chemical expansion and proton conductivity in vanadium-substituted variants of γ-Ba4Nb2O9 DTSTART:20211125T000500Z DTEND:20211125T002000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4242@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Max Avdeev (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolog y Organisation\, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering)\, Alex Brown (T he University of Sydney)\, Bettina Schwaighofer\, Ivana Evans\, Chris Lin g (University of Sydney)\, Bernt Johannessen (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nC omplex perovskite derived oxides are an important emerging class of ionic conducting materials with potential applications in energy technologies in cluding fuel cells\, batteries\, and separation membranes. The high temper ature phase γ-Ba4Nb2O9 is one such complex oxide which shows proton and o xide ionic conduction.\n\nRecently we have shown that two new compositiona l series with the previously unique γ-Ba4Nb2O9 type structure\, γ-Ba4VxT a2-xO9 and γ-Ba4VxNb2-xO9 (x = 0-2/3)\,can form [1]. Undoped Ba4Ta2O9 for ms a 6H-perovskite type phase\, but with sufficient V doping the γ-type p hase is thermodynamically preferred and possibly more stable than γ-Ba4Nb 2O9\, forming at a 200 °C lower synthesis temperature. This is explained by the fact that Nb5+ ions in γ-Ba4Nb2O9 simultaneously occupy 4-\, 5- an d 6-coordinate sites in the oxide sublattice\, which is less stable than a llowing smaller V5+ to occupy the former and larger Ta5+ to occupy the lat ter. We characterised the structures of the new phases using a combination of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. All compositions hydrate rapidly and extensively (up to 1/3 H2O per formula unit) under ambient conditions \, like the parent γ-Ba4Nb2O9 phase\, and show moderate but improved mixe d-ionic electronic conduction. At lower temperatures the ionic conduction is significantly protonic\, where hydration is maintained. We also show th at these new vanadium containing phases have higher total conductivities t han the parent γ-Ba4Nb2O9 compound. \n\n[1] AJ Brown\, B Schwaighofer\, M Avdeev\, B Johannessen\, IR Evans and CD Ling\, Chemistry of Materials\, available online (2021). DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.1c02340\n\nhttps://eve nts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4242/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4242/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:KOALA 2: Implications for magnetic structural and exotic studies DTSTART:20211124T013500Z DTEND:20211124T015000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4385@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ross Piltz (ACNS\, ANSTO)\n\nThe KOALA single-crysta l diffractometer has now been operating for more than a decade and is now nearing retirement (mid-2022). The technical improvements of the new KOALA 2 diffractometer\, and the implications for conventional chemical crystal lography are described in separate presentations at this meeting.\nIn this presentation we will present the implications for less conventional studi es\, such as: magnetic structures\; incommensurate and other complex struc tures\; very small samples\; high-pressure experiments\; studies over many temperatures\; various preparatory studies of inelastic and diffuse scatt ering.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4385/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4385/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Getting better statistics: variable count time data collection wit h large linear detectors. DTSTART:20211125T064000Z DTEND:20211125T064100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4374@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Matthew Rowles (Curtin University)\n\nX-ray diffract ion data are normally collected with a fixed count time (FCT) per step. Wi th this data\, the intensities of the diffraction peaks decrease with incr easing angle\,primarily due to the effects of atomic scattering factors\, Lorentz-polarisation\, atomic displacement parameters\, and absorption. In diffractometers with point or small linear detectors\, these changes can be counteracted by systematically varying the counting time as a function of diffraction angle.This variable-count-time (VCT) approach has been show n to produce data of superior quality for structure determination and refi nement\, as all peaks have similar intensities\, allowing them to contribu te equally\nto the analysis process.\n\nWith the advent of large linear de tectors\, the ability to change the counting time as a function of angle h as been removed. A computer program has been written to construct a VCT di ffraction pattern by the progressive summation of a series of conventional FCT diffraction patterns. This approach extends the collection of VCT dat a to large linear detectors\, where traditional VCT is impossible. The pro gram can also be used to simulate the construction process as an aid in ex perimental planning. An example application is given.\n\nhttps://events.sy nchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4374/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4374/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synchrotron CT dosimetry at the IMBL for low wiggler magnetic fiel d strength and spatial modulation with bow tie filters DTSTART:20211125T234500Z DTEND:20211126T000000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4254@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stewart Midgley (Canberra Hospital)\, Alex Merchant (Barwon Health)\, Nanette Schleich (Otago University)\, Andrew Stevenson ( Australian Synchrotron)\n\nSynchrotron CT dose reduction was investigated for the IMBL wiggler source operated at lower magnetic field strength and for beam modulation with spatial filters placed upstream from the sample. Beam quality at 25-30 keV for 1.4-3.0 T was assessed using transmission me asurements with copper to quantify the influence of third harmonic radiati on. The low energy operational limit is 24-28 keV for 0.1-1% transmission by added filters\, 2 mm path length through silicon and 25 m of air. The u pper limit is near 80 keV for wiggler field 1.4 T\, approximately 100 keV for 2.0 T and extend beyond 100 keV for 3.0-4.2 T. The harmonic radiation contribution is reduced for lower field strengths. Measured dose rates sug gest the influence of harmonics is insignificant above approximately 26 ke V at 1.4 T and above 33 keV at 2.0 T. Relative to 3 T operation\, the mean dose rate in air is reduced to approximately 12% at 2 T and 4% at 1.4 T. Spatial filters were constructed from blocks of perspex with circular voi ds of diameter matching the CT dosimetry test objects. A calibrated ion ch amber integrated absorbed dose to the phantom during 360o rotation. CT dos e indices (CTDI) were measured at 25-100 keV for 3.0T only\, at the centre and periphery for 35-160 mm diameter perspex phantoms. Beam shaping filte rs offer protection to the sample by reducing the peripheral and volumetri c CTDI by about 10% for small objects and 20-30% for the larger samples.\n \nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4254/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4254/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Magnetically-guided particle delivery to airway surfaces for cysti c fibrosis gene therapy: Synchrotron-based visualisation and optimisation for improved in vivo lentiviral gene transfer DTSTART:20211126T000000Z DTEND:20211126T001500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4255@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kentaro Uesugi (SPring-8 Synchrotron)\, Alexandra Mc Carron (University of Adelaide)\, Kaye Morgan (Monash University)\, Kathry n Spiers (Australian Synchrotron)\, Patricia Cmielewski (University of Ade laide)\, David Parsons (University of Adelaide/ Women's and Children's Hos pital)\, Akihisa Takeuchi (SPring-8 Synchrotron)\, Chantelle Carpentieri ( University of Adelaide)\, Victoria Drysdale (University of Adelaide)\, Jul iette Delhove (University of Adelaide)\, Naoto Yagi (SPring-8 Synchrotron) \, Nikki Reyne (University of Adelaide)\, Martin Donnelley (University of Adelaide)\n\nGene vectors to treat cystic fibrosis lung disease should be targeted to the conducting airways\, as peripheral lung transduction does not offer therapeutic benefit. Viral transduction efficiency is directly r elated to the vector residence time. However\, delivered fluids such as ge ne vectors naturally spread to the alveoli during inspiration. Extending g ene vector residence time within the conducting airways is important\, but hard to achieve.\n\nGene vector conjugated magnetic particles that can be guided to the conducting airway surfaces could improve targeting. Due to the challenges of in vivo visualisation\, the behaviour of small magnetic particles on the airway surface in the presence of an applied magnetic fie ld is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to use synchrotron imag ing to visualise the in vivo motion of a range of magnetic particles in li ve rat trachea to examine the dynamics and patterns of individual and bulk particle behaviour in vivo. \n\nSynchrotron X-ray imaging revealed the be haviour of magnetic particles in stationary and moving magnetic fields\, b oth in vitro and in vivo. Particles could not be dragged along the live ai rway surface with the magnet\, but during delivery deposition was focussed within the field of view where the magnetic field was the strongest.\n\nT hese results show that magnetic particles and magnetic fields may be a val uable approach for improving gene vector targeting to the conducting airwa ys in vivo.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4 255/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4255/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Biochemical Interaction of Few Layer Black Phosphorus with Microbi al Cells Using Synchrotron macro- ATR-FTIR DTSTART:20211126T001500Z DTEND:20211126T003000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4256@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chaitali Dekiwadia (RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysi s Facility)\, Sumeet Walia (School of Engineering\, RMIT University)\, Gar y Bryant (Centre for Molecular and Nanoscale Physics\, School of Applied S ciences\, RMIT University)\, Rebecca Orrell-Trigg (School of Applied Scien ces\, RMIT University)\, Louisa Huang (School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT U niversity)\, Aaron Elbourne (School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University) \, Rowan Penman (School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University)\, Saffron B ryant (School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University)\, Jitraporn (Pimm) Vo ngsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)\, Zoe Shaw (School of Engineering\, RMIT University)\, Samuel Cheeseman (School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT Univers ity)\, Andrew Christofferson (School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University )\, Vi Khanh Truong (School of Science\, RMIT University)\n\nIn the fight against drug resistant pathogenic bacterial and fungal cells\, low dimensi onal materials have been shown as a promising form of alternative treatmen t method. Specifically\, few-layer black phosphorus (BP) has demonstrated its effectiveness against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria and fungal c ells. In this work\, the complex biochemical interaction of BP with a seri es of microbial cells is investigated to provide a greater understanding o f the antimicrobial mechanism. Synchrotron macro-attenuated total reflecti on–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy is used to elucida te the chemical changes occurring outside and within the cell of intereste d after exposure to BP nanoflakes. The ATR-FTIR data\, coupled with advanc ed\, high-resolution microscopy\, reveals noticeable differences to the po lysaccharide and nucleic acid spectral maps\, along with changes in amide protein structure when compared to untreated cells. This study provides a greater insight into the biochemical interaction of BP nanoflakes with mic robial cells is given\, allowing for a better understanding of the antimic robial mechanism of action.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146 /contributions/4256/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4256/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structures of biliary micelles during solubilisation of lipids mim icking the digestion products of human and bovine milk DTSTART:20211124T002000Z DTEND:20211124T003500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4258@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nigel Kirby (ANSTO)\, Timothy Ryan (ANSTO)\, Malinda Salim (Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences)\, Ben Boyd (Monash In stitute of Pharmaceutical Sciences)\, Stephen Mudie (ANSTO)\, Tom Eason (M onash University)\, Andrew Clulow (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron)\, Susanne Seibt (ANSTO)\n\nMilk is our sole source of nutrition for the first six m onths of life and milk lipids carry fat-soluble nutrients through the gut as well as providing most of the energy we consume with milk. The digestio n and absorption of lipids\, predominantly triglycerides\, and entrained n utrients is therefore important for survival and growth. Milk triglyceride s are regarded amongst the most chemically complex mixtures\, their compos ition is species-dependent and determines the mixture of fatty acids and m onoglycerides that form during their digestion. Most lipid digestion takes place in the small intestines where bile salts mixed with phospholipids i n the intestinal fluids form a colloidal sink into which the poorly-solubl e digestion products can partition and be absorbed at the intestinal walls . This work describes attempts to simulate how the structures of biliary m icelles change when they absorb milk digestion products under intestinal c onditions. Mixtures of fatty acids and monoglycerides were prepared to mim ic the digestion products of human and bovine milk. The chemical complexit y of the mixtures was varied by including between four and eight different lipid chain types in the digestion product mixtures. The effect of pH on micelle structure was also studied within the range of pH 6.4-7.7\, consis tent with the increase in pH along the intestinal tract. The structural di fferences when these complex lipid mixtures were solubilised by bile salt/ phospholipid micelles were identified using the SAXS/WAXS beamline at the ANSTO Australian Synchrotron. The lipid composition was found to be a prim ary driver of micelle shape and size\, with pH having a secondary affect i n reducing aggregate formation at higher pH.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron .org.au/event/146/contributions/4258/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4258/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Platypus Neutron Reflectometer DTSTART:20211125T064300Z DTEND:20211125T064400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4179@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stephen Holt (Australian Nuclear Science and Technol ogy Organisation)\, Tzu-Yen Huang\, Anton Le Brun (ANSTO)\, Andrew Nelson (ANSTO)\, David Cortie (The University of Wollongong)\n\nPLATYPUS is the i nitial neutron reflectometer at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scatteri ng with a capability to study surfaces and interface systems ranging from biomolecules\, soft matter through to magnetic thin films [1-3]. There hav e been a number of significant improvements to both the instrument and dat a reduction and treatment software [4] over the last two years. On the har dware front the original detector has been replaced [5] enabling higher co unt rate capabilities\, greater detection efficiency at shorter wavelength s and significantly lower background. The slits which define the neutron b eam have been replaced with upgraded positioning mechanisms enabling great er flexibility in experimental setup. These changes have significantly enh anced the instrument performance with improved reproducibility.\n\n[1] M. James et al.\, J. Neutron Research 14\, 91 - 108 (2006) \n[2] M. James et al.\, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research A\, 632\, 112 - 123 (2 011) \n[3] T. Saerbeck et al.\, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83\, 081301 (2012) \n[4 ] A. Nelson et al.\, J. Appl. Crystallography\, 52\, 193 - 200 (2019)\n[5] L. Abuel et al.\, Journal of Neutron Research\, 23(1)\, 53 – 67\, (2021 ).\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4179/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4179/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Demonstrated enantioselective adsorption with cobalt 1D coordinati on polymers DTSTART:20211125T064400Z DTEND:20211125T064500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4180@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: David Turner (Monash University)\, Owen Missen (Mona sh University)\, Winnie Cao (Monash University)\n\nChiral coordination pol ymers have recently been explored as potential stationary phases for enant ioselective separations.1 However\, the chiral resolution ability of non-p orous coordination polymers is not often tested. \n\nIn this work\, two ch iral 1D cobalt coordination polymers have been synthesised with an amino a cid functionalized diimde ligand. The coordination polymers\, which have l ittle free pore space\, have been tested for their chiral resolution abili ties with 1-phenylethanol. Coordination polymer 1 shows a preference for o ne enantiomer over the other in both soaking experiments and preliminary ‘mini columns’\, whereas a second structurally similar polymer shows n o enantioselectivity thus far. Analyses are currently underway to further probe the chiral separation ability of the systems.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\ n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReferences\n1 Turner\, D. R.\, Ch irality in Network Solids. In Chirality in Supramolecular Assemblies: Caus es and Consequences\, Keene\, R. F.\, Ed. 2016\n\nhttps://events.synchrotr on.org.au/event/146/contributions/4180/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4180/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Death Kiss: understanding how the zombie protein\, MLKL\, is t riggered to kill cells by necroptosis DTSTART:20211124T000000Z DTEND:20211124T002000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4284@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: James Murphy (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Med ical Research)\n\nIn 2012\, Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL)\, a ca talytically-dead (“zombie”) cousin of conventional protein kinases\, t ermed a pseudokinase\, was implicated as the key effector in the programme d necrosis (or necroptosis) cell death pathway. This pathway has been impl icated in innate immunity\, the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases\, an d tissue injury arising from ischemia-reperfusion. As a result\, an improv ed fundamental knowledge of MLKL’s activation mechanism is of enormous i nterest as we and others look to target the pathway therapeutically. \n\nH ere\, I will describe our recent work dissecting the chronology of events in this pathway using novel tools\, biochemistry\, microscopy\, proteomics and structural biology methods. Our structural studies were enabled by th e MX and SAXS beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron and isotopic protein labelling at the National Deuteration Facility.\n\nhttps://events.synchro tron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4284/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4284/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A multi-analyser upgrading possibility for the thermal-neutron tri ple-axis spectrometer Taipan DTSTART:20211125T064600Z DTEND:20211125T064700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4187@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Guochu Deng (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolo gy Organization)\, Garry McIntyre (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolo gy Organisation)\, Anton Stampfl (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolog y Organisation)\, Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\n\nTaipan is a high-flux thermal-ne utron triple-axis spectrometer with a traditional single-detector design. Taipan has been working as the work horse for inelastic neutron scattering experiments at ACNS for the last ten years\, generating numerous beautifu l scientific highlights. Following the trend of the neuron instrumentation \, it is interesting to consider the future upgrade of Taipan to increase its data acquisition efficiency with a multi-analyser design. In this rese arch\, the possibility of upgrading Taipan into a multi-analyser triple-ax is spectrometer is discussed. The simulation of the 21 analyser channels with a 2 degree gap in-between is demonstrated. The simulated result shows that the data acquisition efficiency can be substantially enhanced on Tai pan and the multi-analyser design is also very suitable for magnetic diffr action measurement at the low Q range.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.a u/event/146/contributions/4187/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4187/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Diffuse Scattering Studies from a Martensitic Fe-Pd Alloy DTSTART:20211125T064800Z DTEND:20211125T064900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4189@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Garry McIntyre (Australian Nuclear Science and Techn ology Organisation)\, Trevor Finlayson (University of Melbourne)\, Kirrily Rule (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering)\n\nFrom literature report s\, Fe-Pd alloys in the vicinity of Fe-30at%Pd exhibit two martensitic tra nsformations on being cooled from just above room temperature to about 100 K. A preliminary study of a large single crystal of this composition at t he KOALA beamline\, not only showed evidence for these transformations but also revealed most interesting satellite reflections around certain Bragg spots. The crystal was then studied further in two triple-axis experiment s. The first was at TAIPAN\, specifically to study elastic scattering and the second\, at SIKA\, to study quasi-elastic scattering both in the vicin ity of certain Bragg peaks but also around the satellite reflections obser ved at KOALA. During a parallel experiment to the SIKA one\, an ideally sm all piece of the crystal was studied at KOALA but the interesting satellit es found for the large crystal were not present. As a result\, in a furthe r experiment on the large crystal at KOALA\, completed in early 2021\, dif fraction patterns were collected with the aim of surveying the whole of th e large crystal\, particularly in the vicinity of the edge from which the ideally small crystal piece had been extracted by electro-discharge machin ing. The results from this last experiment will be summarised and discusse d in relation to the earlier triple-axis and KOALA results.\n\nhttps://eve nts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4189/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4189/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Spin Dynamics\, Critical Scattering and Magnetoelectric Coupling M echanism of Mn$_4$Nb$_2$O$_9$ DTSTART:20211125T064900Z DTEND:20211125T065000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4190@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Guochu Deng (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolo gy Organization)\, Guochu Deng (1Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\ , Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Shixun Cao (De partment of Physics\, Shanghai University)\, Wei Ren (Department of Physic s\, Shanghai University\,)\, Zhenjie Feng (Department of Physics\, Shangha i University)\, Gang Zhao (Department of Physics\, Shanghai University)\, Garry J McIntyre (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, Australian Nu clear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Shuang Zhu (Department of Phy sics\, Shanghai University)\, Andrew Studer (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\n\nT he spin dynamics of Mn$_4$Nb$_2$O$_9$ were studied by using inelastic neut ron scattering. A spin-dynamic model is proposed to explain the observed s pin-wave excitation spectrum. The model indicates that the exchange intera ctions along the chain direction are weakly ferromagnetic while the exchan ge interactions between the neighbour chains are strongly antiferromagneti c. Such a antiferromagnetic configuration in the hexagonal plane cause spi n frustration with a spin gap of about 1.4 meV at the zone centre. The Mn$ ^{2+}$ ions in this material demonstrate a very weak easy-axis single-ion anisotropy. Critical scattering in the vicinity of T$_{N}$ was studied. On the basis of the magnetic structure and spin-dynamic models\, the weak ma gnetoelectric coupling effect in Mn$_4$Nb$_2$O$_9$ is ascribed to the wea k magnetostriction due to the subtle difference between Mn$^{2+}$ ions on the Mn$_{I}$ and Mn$_{II}$ sites.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/eve nt/146/contributions/4190/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4190/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Exploring Amine-based MOFs for Electrochemical Water Splitting DTSTART:20211125T065000Z DTEND:20211125T065100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4191@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: David Turner (Monash University)\, Stuart Batten (Mo nash University)\, Jade Ang (Monash University)\, Alexandr Simonov (Monash University)\, Manjunath Chatti (Monash University)\n\nElectrochemical wat er splitting is one of the widely studied routes to developing sustainable energy systems. Energy in the form of hydrogen has been gaining attention since it can be easily converted\, stored\, and transported. In order to improve efficiency\, an electrocatalyst will be needed to aid the slow kin etics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. Metal-organic framew orks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) are generally considere d to have inferior electrocatalytic performance relative to noble metal ox ides\, however\, in this study using a 2D Co-framework of 1\,4\,7-tris(4 ’-methylbiphenyl-4-carboxylic)-1\,4\,7-triazacyclononane deposited onto nickel foam has shown a promising catalytic activity. The fabricated elect rode with a loading of 0.25 mg cm-2 has shown a low overpotential of 259 m V at the current density of 20 mA cm-2 in alkaline conditions. The electro chemical stability of the electrode was evaluated and showed continuous el ectrolysis with no decay for several hours at room temperature. These init ial results not only provide a good design for fabricating MOF-based catal ysts but also opens up more ideas for tuning and enhancing the electrochem ical performance of amine-based MOFs.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au /event/146/contributions/4191/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4191/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Chain alignment and charge transport anisotropy in blade-coated N2 200/PS blend films DTSTART:20211125T065100Z DTEND:20211125T065200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4195@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christopher McNeill (Monash University)\, Lars Thoms en (Australian Synchrotron)\, Lin-jing Tang (Monash University)\n\nSemicon ducting polymers offer the potential of low-cost flexible electronics. To improve the processability and mechanical flexibility of semiconducting po lymers\, blending with commodity polymers is an attractive strategy. Under standing how blending affects the resulting microstructure in aligned samp les produced by directional coating techniques such as blade coating is im portant to optimize device performance. This presentation will discuss the microstructure of blade-coated blends of the semiconducting polymer N2200 with polystyrene (PS) using a range of techniques. In particular\, we hav e investigated the degree of alignment of chains of the semiconducting pol ymer N2200 at the surface and in the bulk. UV-vis spectroscopy and surface -sensitive NEXAFS spectroscopy show that blade coating induces the prefere ntial orientation of N2200 chains parallel to the coating direction. Angle -dependent NEXAFS enables the averaged tilt angle of the planar backbone o f N2200 to be determined\, revealing improved edge-on configuration at the surface with reduced N2200 content. By deconvoluting the spectra of N2200 /PS blend film\, the concentration of N2200 at the surface was determined\ , showing its tendency of segregating at the surface. Another synchrotron- based technique\, grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) w as used to selectively probe the crystalline phase of N2200. The GIWAXS re sults confirm the directional alignment of N2200 crystallites with backbon e stacking direction to be parallel to the coating direction. From the ana lysis of crystallite orientation (texture)\, a transition from preferentia l face-on orientation to edge-on orientation at low N2200 content was seen . Finally\, charge transport anisotropy was investigated by measuring orga nic field-effect transistors based on blade-coated N2200/PS blend films wi th conductive channel length parallel or perpendicular to the coating dire ction.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4195/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4195/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigation of the Diffusion of Cr2O3 into different phases of T iO2 upon Annealing DTSTART:20211125T065200Z DTEND:20211125T065300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4196@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gunther Andersson (Flinders University)\, Abdulrahma n Alotabi (Flinders University)\n\nChromium oxide (Cr2O3) can be used as a protective layer for photocatalysts to improve photocatalytic water split ting activity and is commonly photodeposited. However\, it is not known ho w the conditions of the Cr2O3 formation affect the formation of the protec tive layer and potential diffusion into the substate onto which the Cr2O3 has been deposited. We have investigated the stability of Cr2O3 photodepos ited onto the surface of different crystal phases of TiO2 with subsequent annealing at a range of temperatures up to 600⁰C. X-ray photoelectron sp ectroscopy and synchrotron near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure were used to analyse the chemical composition of the sample\, Neutral impact co llision ion scattering spectroscopy was used to study the concentration de pth profile of the elements in the sample and atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of the surface. Under annealing conditi ons\, the Cr2O3 layer diffuses into the amorphous and anatase phases of Ti O2 but remains at the surface of the rutile phase. This finding is attribu ted to differences in surface energy with Cr2O3 being higher in surface en ergy than the amorphous and anatase phases of TiO2 but lower in surface en ergy than the rutile phase of TiO2. Reduction of Cr2O3 to Cr metal was obs erved after annealing with no observation of the formation of higher oxidi sed forms of chromium oxide like CrO2 and CrO3. These findings are of gene ral interest to researchers utilising a protective overlayer to augment ph otocatalytic water splitting.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/1 46/contributions/4196/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4196/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Energy Storage Rocks: Metal Carbonates as Thermochemical Energy S torage Materials DTSTART:20211125T065300Z DTEND:20211125T065400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4199@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Adriana Pires Vieira (Department of Physics and Astr onomy\, Curtin University)\, Craig Buckley (Department of Physics and Astr onomy\, Curtin University)\, Mark Paskevicius (Department of Physics and A stronomy\, Curtin University)\, Kasper Moeller (Department of Biological a nd Chemical Engineering\, Aarhus University)\, Anita D'Angelo (Australian Synchrotron)\, Kyran Williamson (Department of Physics and Astronomy\, Cur tin University\,)\n\nThe intermittent nature of renewable energy is a majo r challenge that can be overcome via cheap and effective energy storage [1 ]. Thermochemical energy storage is an upcoming technology that can impr ove efficiency in applications such as concentrated solar power[2]. Metal carbonates have great potential as thermochemical energy storage materials \, through the reversible endo/exothermic desorption/absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2)[3]. However\, major challenges include the loss of cyclic ca pacity and slow reaction kinetics[3].\nRecently\, it has been established that raw unrefined dolomite\, CaMg(CO3)2\, performed significantly better than laboratory synthesized dolomite due to the positive effect of chemica lly inert impurities present in the sample[4] However\, increasing its rel atively low operational temperature (550 °C) will improve efficiency[4]. The present research explores reactive metal carbonate composites\, which consist of barium carbonate destabilised using titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) or barium silicate (BaSiO3)[5]. This reduces the operating temperature fro m 1400 °C to\, more suitable temperatures of 1100 °C and 850 °C\, respe ctively\, and improves kinetics of CO2 release and uptake. The reactions a re explored using in situ synchrotron XRD combined with a variety of other characterisation techniques.\n[1] T. Sweetnam and C. Spataru\, in Storing Energy\, edited by T.M. Letcher (Elsevier\, Oxford\, 2016)\, pp. 501–50 8.\n[2] C. Prieto\, P. Cooper\, A.I. Fernández\, and L.F. Cabeza\, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. **60**\, 909 (2016).\n[3] L. André\, S. Abanades\, and G. Flamant\, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. **64**\, 703 (2016).\n[4] T.D . Humphries\, K.T. Møller\, W.D.A. Rickard\, M.V. Sofianos\, S. Liu\, C.E . Buckley\, and M. Paskevicius\, J. Mater. Chem. A **7**\, 1206 (2019).\n[ 5] K.T. Møller\, K. Williamson\, C.E. Buckley\, and M. Paskevicius\, J. M ater. Chem. A **8**\, 10935 (2020).\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/e vent/146/contributions/4199/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4199/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Discovering peptide inhibitors against FtsY\, an antibiotic target DTSTART:20211125T065500Z DTEND:20211125T065600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4204@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Sandro Ataide (University of Sydney)\, Jennifer Zhao (University of Sydney)\, Lorna Wilkinson-White (University of Sydney)\, T oby Passioura (University of Sydney)\, Anthony Duff (ANSTO)\, Ann Kwan (Un iversity of Sydney)\n\nThe rapid rise of antibiotic resistance has caused an urgent demand for new antibiotics. One way to address this is by manipu lating essential bacterial interactions not targeted by current antibiotic s. The interaction between the Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) and its r eceptor (FtsY) is critical for cell viability but is mediated by RNA:prote in interactions in bacteria versus protein:protein interactions in eukaryo tes. We have used a new technology known as RaPID (Randomised non-standard Peptide Integrated Discovery) to identify cyclic peptides that bind to Ft sY. Sequence enrichment was observed after seven rounds of selection and e ight representative peptides were selected for further characterisation.\n \nTo determine whether the peptides can bind the intended RNA-binding int erface on FtsY\, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) spectra wer e collected on 2H13C15N-FtsY produced by ANSTO. High deuteration level has facilitated good quality NMR spectra despite the large size of FtsY (35 k Da). In total\, ~220 amide groups were mapped onto the “fingerprint” 1 5N-1H-HSQC spectrum with >75% of backbone resonances assigned. Following p eptide synthesis\, we will titrate selected peptides into labelled FtsY fo r chemical shift perturbation experiments. This will provide binding affin ity data for the different peptides and enable the mapping of binding resi dues onto our previously solved crystal structure. The highest affinity bi nders will be subjected to soaking and co-crystallisation experiments with FtsY to further characterise the mode of interaction. Taken together\, th e data obtained will inform the future development of cyclic peptides into FtsY inhibitors with high affinity and specificity as potential antibioti c leads.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4204 / LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4204/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) structure and properties co rrelation to nucleic acid delivery DTSTART:20211125T065600Z DTEND:20211125T065700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4207@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ravi Shukla (School of Science\, RMIT University\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3000\, Australia)\, Gary Bryant (Centre for Molecular and Nanoscale Physics\, School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University)\, L inda Varadi (Postdoctoral Fellow\, School of Engineering\, RMIT Universit y\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3000\, Australia)\, Suneela Pyreddy (PhD candida te\, School of Science\, RMIT University\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3000\, Aus tralia)\, Arpita Poddar (RMIT University and CSIRO)\, Shakil Ahmed Polash (PhD candidate\, School of Science\, RMIT University\, Melbourne\, Victori a 3000\, Australia)\n\nIn regenerative medicine\, (intra)cellular delivery of genetic material can be used to introduce functional copies of a gene that is defective and responsible for disease development. To avoid nuclea se- and lysosome-mediated degradation of the gene\, drug delivery systems / carriers need to be developed. Recently\, non-viral delivery systems are being developed\, such as microinjection\, or various chemical approaches (e.g. liposomes\, polymers\, lipids)\; due to their economical synthesis\ , biocompatibility and ability to transfer a variety of genetic materials and gene editing tools.1 Zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF) is a well-studi ed non-viral polymeric delivery system where coordination between Zn(II) a nd imidazolate forms a highly organised framework in aqueous solution. ZIF s offer advantageous physicochemical properties for bio-delivery applicati ons and have been shown to encapsulate a wide range of biomolecules\, incl uding nucleic acids\, via biomimetic mineralisation. Such ZIF-based delive ry systems provide protection of the gene cargo and were shown to result i n endocytosis-mediated cellular uptake. Further\, ZIFs degrade in the acid ic microenvironments of cancer cells\, releasing their cargo at the target site.2\,3 Both cellular uptake and release of ZIF encapsulated biomolecul es are determined by the framework structure\, and its crystal phase. In o ur work\, a series of ZIF preparation methods are studied for the encapsul ation of a circular plasmid. The resulting ZIF structures are characterise d via FTIR\, SEM\, synchrotron PXRD. The aim of this project is to establi sh structure–property relationships to gene loading efficiency\, cellula r uptake and cargo release profiles. \n\nReferences:\n1. Sung et al. 2019\ , Biomater Res\, 23(1)\, 1-7\, doi: 10.1186/s40824-019-0156-z.\n2. Poddar et al. 2020\, Small\, 15(36)\, 1902268\, doi: 10.1002/smll.201902268.\n3. Poddar et al. 2021\, Chem Com\, 56(98)\,15406-15409\, doi: 10.1039/d0cc062 41c.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4207/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4207/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Characterisation of an Antimony-based Catalysts for Acid Water Oxi dation Catalysis – Insights through X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and th e challenges of multi-metal systems DTSTART:20211125T065800Z DTEND:20211125T065900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4211@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Rosalie Hocking (Swinburne University of Technology) \, Alexandr Simonov (Monash University)\, Bernt Johannessen (Australian Sy nchrotron)\, Brittany Kerr (Swinburne University of Technology)\, Manjunat h Chatti (Monash University)\, Daniel Eldridge (Swinburne University of Te chnology)\n\nElectrochemical water splitting with a proton-exchange membra ne electrolyte provides many advantages for the energy-efficient productio n of high-purity dihydrogen in a sustainable manner\, but the current tech nology relies on high loadings of expensive and scarce iridium at the anod es\, which are also often insufficiently stable in operation. A common str ategy to achieve stability is to synthesise composite oxides composed of m ultiple components\, for example [M]SbOx\, [M]PbOx\, [M]BiOx. Yet\, these materials pose a challenge in that it is not well understand how the mixed metal works to stabilise the material under acidic conditions. The presen t work presents an efficient ruthenium antimony oxide (RuSbOx) electrocata lyst synthesised as a thin film on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). Compreh ensive physical characterisation by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) an d transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals important insights into the structure and mechanism of the examined materials while simultaneously highlighting how structural effects\, such as disorder\, may impact the o bservation and interpretation of EXAFS data.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron .org.au/event/146/contributions/4211/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4211/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Leaving a mark on forensic science: Using synchrotron microscopy a nd spectroscopy to explore fingermark chemistry DTSTART:20211125T025000Z DTEND:20211125T030500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4306@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dominique Appadoo (Australian Synchrotron)\, Mark Jo hn Hackett (Curtin Univeristy)\, Wilhelm van Bronswijk (Curtin University )\, Jitraporn (Pimm) Vongsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)\, Daryl Howard ( Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO))\, Simon L ewis (Curtin University)\, Rhiannon Boseley (Curtin University)\n\nFingerm arks are an important tool in forensic investigations however\, a large nu mber are not successfully recovered and are never used as evidence.(1) A s ignificant challenge in their detection is the chemical variability of fin germark deposits. This research aims to answer important questions in fing ermark chemistry using synchrotron sourced analysis including x-ray fluore scence microscopy (XFM)\, infrared microspectroscopy (IRM) and THz-Far inf rared (Far-IR) spectroscopy to deepen the understanding of fingermark resi due and improve recovery methods. \n\nFirst\, what is the chemical composi tion of a fingermark? We explored the distribution of inorganic material u sing XFM to discriminate between the endogenous and exogenous metals prese nt in a natural fingermark\, with multimodal studies using IRM connecting this distribution to the organic material.(2\,3) Further investigation of the transfer and persistence of exogenous metals demonstrated how handling different metal objects can affect fingermark chemistry\, suggesting dail y activities can influence the material present in a fingermark. \nSecond \, what happens to this material as the fingermarks age? The material depo sited in a fingermark is not static and changes over time\, with the rate of change being influenced by the environment and surface. We have directl y imaged the rate of change post deposition using IRM\, demonstrating the dehydration of hydrophilic material in a fingermark droplet over time. To volumetrically measure this rate of change we have measured the water evap orating off a fingermark in the gas phase using Far-IR\, providing importa nt insight into the water content in fingermark residue. \n\n1. S. Chadwic k et al. Forensic Science International\, 2018\, 289\, 381-389.\n2. B. N. Dorakumbura et al. Analyst\, 2018\, 143\, 4027-4039.\n3. R. E. Boseley et al. Analytical Chemistry\, 2019\, 91\, 10622-10630.\n\nhttps://events.sync hrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4306/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4306/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Biocompatible ionic liquids as designer solvents for the formation of non-lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles as drug delive ry vehicles DTSTART:20211125T065900Z DTEND:20211125T070000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4213@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jiali (Maggie) Zhai (RMIT university)\, Tamar Greave s (RMIT university)\, Mohamad El Mohamad (RMIT university)\n\nIonic liquid s (ILs) have emerged as a remarkable class of green solvents with unique c haracteristics\, and feasible task-specific tailoring of their properties. The application of ILs has extended to facilitate amphiphile self-assembl y. ILs not only support the self-assembly of amphiphiles\, they can also b e used as designer solvents(1). \nLipid amphiphiles can assemble into a wi de range of lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophases possessing unique high ly ordered multidimensional structures. The bulk phases can be further bro ken into nanoparticle dispersions (LCNPs)\,for examples cubosomes and hexo somes\, that are characterised by their high surface to volume ratio. Thes e particles are receiving growing interest due to their great potential as drug delivery vehicles for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs(2). \nO ur recent small angle X ray scattering (SAXS) results revealed a wide rang e of LCNPs such as cubosomes and hexosomes obtained in various biocompatib le ILs-water solvents. A strong correlation exists between the pH of the s olutions and the adapted phases.\n\nReferences:\n1. Zhai\, J.\; Sarkar\, S .\; Tran\, N.\; Pandiancherri\, S.\; Greaves\, T. L.\; Drummond\, C. J.\, Tuning Nanostructured Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Mesophases in Lipid Nan oparticles with Protic Ionic Liquids. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Le tters 2021\, 12 (1)\, 399-404.\n2. Zhai\, J.\; Fong\, C.\; Tran\, N.\; Dru mmond\, C. J.\, Non-Lamellar Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Lipid Nanopartic les for the Next Generation of Nanomedicine. ACS Nano 2019\, 13 (6)\, 6178 -6206.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4213/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4213/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Inelastic Neutron Scatterings Reveal Intense Ferromagnetic Fluctua tions Preceding Magnetoelastic First-Order Transitions in LaFe13−xSix DTSTART:20211125T065700Z DTEND:20211125T065800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4347@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Houbo Zhou\, Fengxia Hu\, Weijun Ren\, Xinguo Zhao\, Zhao Zhang\, Zhe Zhang\, Bing Li (Institute of Metal Research CAS)\, Zhid ong Zhang\, Richard Mole (ANSTO)\, Baogen Shen\, Chenyang Yu\, Dehong Yu ( Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\n\nFirst-order mag netic transitions are of both fundamental and technological interest. Of p articular interest are giant magnetocaloric effects\, which are attributed to first-order magnetic transitions and have attracted great attention fo r solid-state refrigeration applications. Here\, we present a systematic s tudy\, with inelastic and quasielastic neutron scatterings\, on the lattic e and spin dynamics in intermetallic LaFe11.6Si1.4 and LaFe11.2Si1.8\, whi ch represent one of the most classical giant magnetocaloric systems and un dergo first-order and second-order magnetic transitions\, respectively. Wh ile the two samples show similar spin-phonon coupling effect\, LaFe11.6Si1 .4 exhibits a much stronger magnetic diffuse scattering in the paramagneti c state preceding its first-order magnetic transition\, correlating closel y to picosecond ferromagnetic fluctuations. These dynamic insights suggest that the spin dynamics dominate the magnetoelastic transition and ferroma gnetic fluctuations may be universally relevant for magnetocaloric materia ls [1]. \n\n[1] Zhao Zhang\, et al. PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS 5\, L071401 (2021).\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4347/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4347/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding the structural basis of TIR-domain assembly formatio n in TRAM- and TRIF- dependent TLR signalling DTSTART:20211125T070000Z DTEND:20211125T070100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4215@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jeff Nanson\, Bostjan Kobe\, Mengqi Pan\n\nToll-like receptors (TLRs) detect pathogens and endogenous danger\, initiating immu ne responses that lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. A t the same time\, TLR-mediated inflammation is associated with a number of pathological states\, including infectious\, autoimmune\, inflammatory\, cardiovascular and cancer-related disorders. This dual role of the pathway s has attracted widespread interest from pharmaceutical industries. Cytopl asmic signalling by TLRs starts by their TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor) domain interacting with TIR domain-containing adaptor proteins MyD88\, MA L\, TRIF and TRAM. Combinatorial recruitment of these adaptors via TIR:TIR domain interactions orchestrates downstream signalling pathways\, leading to induction of the pro-inflammatory genes. Although many constituents of the TLR pathways have been identified\, the available information on thei r coordinated interactions is limited. Such information is crucial for a m echanistic understanding of TLR signalling\, development of therapeutic st rategies\, and understanding of the molecular basis of the consequences fo r human disease of adaptor polymorphic variants. We have discovered that T IR domains can form large assemblies. We hypothesized that TIR domain sign alling occurs through a mechanism involving higher-order assembly formatio n. In this study we aim to determine the molecular architecture of higher- order assemblies formed by TIR domains with a focus on TRAM-TRIF assemblie s in the TLR4 and TLR3 pathway.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event /146/contributions/4215/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4215/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria driven primary min eral weathering and secondary mineral formation in Fe ore tailings DTSTART:20211125T070500Z DTEND:20211125T070600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4222@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: QING YI (The University of Queensland)\, Longbin Hua ng (The University of Queensland)\, Songlin Wu (The University of Queensla nd)\, Gordon Southam (The University of Queensland)\n\nDirect phytostabili sation of Fe ore tailings is typically unfeasible due to its harsh environ ment\, which includes strongly alkaline pH conditions\, deficient availabl e nutrients and organic matter and poor physical structure\, hindering mic robial and plant colonisation. Eco-engineering Fe ore tailings into a soil -like substrate (or technosol) is an emerging technology to rehabilitate t ailings landscapes sustainably\, involving a suite of abiotic and biotic i nputs (organic matter\, functional microorganisms and pioneer plants). How ever\, the extreme alkalinity and the lack of secondary Fe-rich minerals a re critical barriers to transforming Fe ore tailings into soil. \nUsing a microcosm experiment amendment with elemental sulfur (S0)\, Acidithiobacil lus ferrooxidans demonstrated the capacity to generate acid that neutralis ed alkaline tailings and accelerated primary mineral weathering\, i.e.\, t echnosol formation. [1] The effects of biological S0 oxidation on the weat hering of alkaline Fe ore tailings were examined using several high-resolu tion micro-spectroscopic techniques\, including synchrotron-based X-ray ab sorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) and electron microscopy. It is found that: 1) A. ferrooxidans inoculum together with S0 amendment facili tated fast neutralisation of the alkaline Fe ore tailings\; 2) A. ferrooxi dans activities induced Fe-bearing primary mineral (e.g.\, biotite) weathe ring and nano-sized secondary mineral (e.g.\, ferrihydrite and jarosite) f ormation\; 3) the association between bacterial cells and tailing minerals were facilitated by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The behavio ur and biogeochemical functionality of A. ferrooxidans in the tailings pro vide a fundamental basis for developing bacterial based technologies towar ds eco-engineering tailings into a soil-like substrate for sustainable min e site rehabilitation.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/cont ributions/4222/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4222/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural basis of coronavirus E protein interactions with human PALS1 PDZ domain DTSTART:20211125T070100Z DTEND:20211125T070200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4218@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marc Kvansakul\, Patrick O. Humbert \, Airah Javorsk y (La Trobe University)\n\nSARS-CoV-2 infection leads to coronavirus disea se 2019 (COVID-19)\, which is associated with severe and life-threatening pneumonia and respiratory failure. However\, the molecular basis of these symptoms remains unclear. SARS-CoV-1 E protein interferes with control of cell polarity and cell-cell junction integrity in human epithelial cells b y binding to the PALS1 PDZ domain\, a key component of the Crumbs polarity complex. We show that C-terminal PDZ binding motifs of SARS-CoV-1 and SAR S-CoV-2 E proteins bind the PALS1 PDZ domain with 29.6 and 22.8 μM affini ty\, whereas the related sequence from MERS-CoV did not bind. We then dete rmined crystal structures of PALS1 PDZ domain bound to both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 E protein PDZ binding motifs. Our findings establish the struc tural basis for SARS-CoV-1/2 mediated subversion of Crumbs polarity signal ling and serve as a platform for the development of small molecule inhibit ors to suppress SARS-CoV-1/2 mediated disruption of polarity signalling in epithelial cells.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribu tions/4218/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4218/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Crystal Structures of Protic Ionic Liquids and their hydrates DTSTART:20211125T070200Z DTEND:20211125T070300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4219@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tamar Greaves (RMIT University)\, Andrew Martin (RMI T University)\, Jack Binns (RMIT University)\, Helen Brand (Australian Syn chrotron)\, Michael Hassett (RMIT University)\n\nProtic Ionic Liquids (PIL s) are a class of tailorable solvents made up of fused salts with melting points below 100 °C\, which are formed through a Brønsted acid-base reac tion involving proton exchange[1]. These solvents have applications as lub ricants\, electrolytes\, and many other uses[2]. Although they are quite s imilar to molten salts\, their crystal structures have not been explored i n-depth\, with only ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) having a reported crystal structure[3\, 4].\nTen alkylammonium-based protic ionic liquids at both ne at (\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4219/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4219/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding the generation and evolution of reaction-induced por osity in the replacement of calcite by gypsum: A combined microscopy\, X-r ay micro-tomography\, and USANS/SANS study DTSTART:20211125T030500Z DTEND:20211125T032000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4307@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Fang Xia (Murdoch University)\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO )\, Idowu Adegoke (Murdoch University)\, Anna Sokolova (ANSTO)\, Muhammet Kartal (Murdoch University)\, Andrew Putnis (Murdoch University\, Curtin U niversity\, University of Münster)\n\nFluid-mediated mineral replacement reactions are common in natural systems and are essential for geological a nd engineering processes. In these reactions\, a primary mineral is replac ed by a product mineral via a mechanism called coupled dissolution-repreci pitation. This mechanism leads to the preservation of the shape of the pri mary mineral into the product mineral. The product mineral includes reacti on-induced porosity contributing to enhanced permeability\, which is cruci al for the replacement reaction to progress from the surface to the core o f the primary mineral grain. These reaction-induced pores are complex in s ize\, shape and connectivity\, and can evolve with time. However\, the mec hanisms of the creation and evolution of such pores are still poorly under stood. Therefore\, we investigated the replacement of calcite (CaCO3) by g ypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) to understand porosity creation in the replacement stag e and the evolution of such porosity after complete replacement. This repl acement reaction is important for the applications such as groundwater res ervoir evaluation\, CO2 sequestration\, cultural heritage preservation\, a nd acid mine drainage remediation. Samples collected at various reaction s tages over 18 months were characterised by ultra-small-angle neutron scatt ering and small-angle neutron scattering (USANS/SANS)\, ultra-high-resolut ion electron microscopy (UHR-SEM)\, and X-ray micro-computed tomography (X -μCT). Results show the formation of micro-voids in the core of the gypsu m grain and the generation of nanometre-sized elongated pores in the newly formed gypsum crystals. Micrometre-sized pores were mostly open\, while p ores smaller than 30 nm were mainly closed. After complete replacement\, c ontinued porosity coarsening occurred in the 18 months’ time\, driven by Ostwald ripening.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribu tions/4307/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4307/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Total Scattering Measurements at the Australian Synchrotron Powder Diffraction Beamline: Capabilities and Limitations DTSTART:20211124T010500Z DTEND:20211124T012000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4326@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Qinfen Gu (Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\, Helen B rand (Australian Synchrotron)\, Daniel Oldfield (ANSTO)\, Anita D'Angelo ( Australian Synchrotron)\, Amelia Liu (Monash University)\, Jessica Hamilto n (Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\, Valerie Mitchell (Australian Synchrot ron)\n\nThe PD beamline at the Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO) consistently receives requests to carry out total scattering experiments for various m aterials including battery electrodes\, piezoelectrics and coordination fr ameworks. In this study we describe the capabilities and limitations of ca rrying out total scattering experiments on the Powder Diffraction beamline . A maximum instrument momentum transfer of 19 Å-1 can be achieved. Our r esults detail how the pair distribution function is affected by Qmax\, abs orption\, and counting time duration at the PD beamline. We also trial a v ariable counting time strategy using the Mythen II detector. Refined struc tural parameters exemplify how the PDF is affected by these parameters. To tal scattering experiments can be carried out at PD although there are lim itations. These are: (1) only measurements on stable systems and at non-am bient conditions is possible if the temperature is held during data collec tion\, (2) it is essential to dilute highly absorbing samples (µR>1)\, an d (3) only correlation lengths >0.35 Å may be resolved. A case study comp aring the PDF atom-atom correlation lengths with EXAFS derived radial dist ances of Ni and Pt nanoparticles is also presented\, which shows good agre ement between the two techniques. The results here can be used as a guide for researchers considering total scattering experiments at the PD beamlin e.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4326/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4326/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ocean acidification alters the nutritional value of Antarctic diat oms DTSTART:20211125T070300Z DTEND:20211125T070400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4221@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daniel Nielsen (University of Technology Sydney)\, A lyce Hancock (University of Tasmania)\, Rebecca Duncan (University of Tech nology Sydney and UNIS Svalbard)\, Stacy Deppeler (University of Tasmania and New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research)\, An drew Davidson (Australian Antarctic Division)\, Katherina Petrou (Universi ty of Technology Sydney)\, Kai Schulz (Southern Cross University)\, Cristi n Sheehan (University Technology Sydney)\n\nThe cold waters of the Souther n Ocean (SO) are acknowledged as a major hotspot for atmospheric CO2 uptak e and is anticipated to be one of first regions to be affected by Ocean ac idification (OA). Primary production in the SO is dominated by diatom-rich phytoplankton assemblages\, whose individual physiologies and community c omposition are strongly shaped by the environment\, yet knowledge on how d iatoms allocate cellular energy in response to OA is limited. Using Synchr otron based FTIR-Microspectroscopy at the Australian Synchrotron\, we anal ysed the macromolecular content of selected individual diatom taxa from a natural Antarctic phytoplankton community exposed to a gradient of fCO2 le vels (288 – 1263 µatm). We found strong species-specific differences in macromolecular partitioning under OA. Larger taxa showed preferential ene rgy allocation towards proteins\, while smaller taxa increased both lipid and protein stores. Our study also revealed an OA-induced community shift towards smaller taxa and lower silicification rates at high fCO2. If these changes are representative of future Antarctic diatom physiology\, we may expect a shift away from lipid rich large diatoms towards a community dom inated by smaller\, less silicified taxa\, but with higher lipid and prote in stores than their present-day contemporaries\, a response that could ha ve cascading effects on foodweb dynamics in the Antarctic marine ecosystem .\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4221/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4221/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Update on Polarised Neutron Capabilities at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering DTSTART:20211124T012000Z DTEND:20211124T013500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4327@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\, Richard Mole (ANSTO)\, Andrew Studer (ACNS ANSTO)\, Shinichiro Yano (NSRRC)\, Dehong Yu (Australian Nuc lear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Elliot Gilbert (ANSTO)\, Andre w Manning (ANSTO)\n\nThe Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering offers n eutron polarisation capabilities which are compatible with six different n eutron scattering instruments\, using a combination of polarising supermir rors and $^3$He cell spin filters. An overview of these capabilities will be given\, followed by a description of some recent experiments which mak e use of a variety of these capabilities on instruments\, including the co ld triple-axis spectrometer Sika\, and the small-angle neutron scattering instrument Quokka with a recently-commissioned 7 T compensated vertical ma gnet. Finally\, current and future work to expand capabilities will be out lined\, such as a new system for polarisation analysis experiments with ma gnetic fields controlled in 3D for the time-of-flight spectrometer Pelican which will soon be offered to the user community\, and a bespoke 0.5 T ho rizontal magnet system for the thermal triple-axis spectrometer Taipan.\n\ nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4327/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4327/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synchrotron Light for Exploring Arsenic Environments in Arsenian P yrite DTSTART:20211125T070400Z DTEND:20211125T070500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4223@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Philip Forson (University of South Australia\, Futur e Industries Institute-STEM)\, William Skinner (University of South Austra lia)\, Bruce Cowie (ANSTO)\, Marta Krasowska (University of South Australi a)\n\nSubstitution of arsenic in pyrite called arsenian pyrite is often ac companied by concentration of valuable metals such as gold in some deposit s. In such mineralogical occurrence\, a concentration-driven substitution of As encapsulating ‘pure’ pyrite is typical. Although knowledge of As substitution environment in pyrite is important in determining surface ch aracteristics\, and interactions in chemical processes such as oxidation\, they are widely varied in nature with paucity of information in existing literature. The current study employed synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy (SXP S)\, using tunable excitation energy to study vacuum-fractured surfaces of arsenian pyrite. SXPS As 3d of arsenian pyrite suggest the existence of an As-As dimer in arsenian pyrite\, characterised by a shift in bulk bindi ng energy to 0.6 eV lower than the As-S dimer of arsenopyrite. Possible As cluster formation was also proposed. The high binding energy contribution at excitation energy of 100 and 210 eV were resolved into two surface com ponents that may have formed from possible surface reconstruction or polym erisation.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/42 23/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4223/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Towards real-time analysis of liquid jet alignment in SFX DTSTART:20211125T070700Z DTEND:20211125T070800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4226@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Adrian Mancuso (European XFEL\, Desy)\, Adam Round ( European XFEL\, Desy)\, Brian Abbey (La Trobe University)\, Jaydeep Jaydee p Patel (La Trobe University)\, Andrew Peele (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nS erial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) enables atomic scale imaging of pr otein structures via X-ray diffraction measurements from large numbers of small crystals intersecting intense X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) pulse s. Sample injection typically involves continuous delivery of crystals to the pulsed XFEL beam via a liquid jet. Due to movement of the jet\, which is often focused to further reduce its diameter using a gas virtual dynami c nozzle (GVDN)\, jet position is often adjusted multiple times during the experiment. This can result in loss of beamtime and significant manual in tervention. Here we present a novel approach to the problem of liquid jet misalignment in SFX based on machine vision. We demonstrate automatic iden tification and classification of when there is overlap (‘hit’) and whe n there is not overlap (‘miss’) between the XFEL beam and jet. Our alg orithm takes as its input optical images from the ‘side microscope’ lo cated inside the X-ray hutch. This algorithm will be incorporated into the control system at the SFX/SPB beamline at the European XFEL where it will be used for in-situ ‘alignment correction’ via a continuous feedback loop with the stepper motors controlling the location of the nozzle within the chamber. Full automation of this process will result in a larger volu me of useful data being collected. By increasing the efficiency and reduci ng the per experiment operational cost of SFX at the European XFEL a highe r volume of experiments can be performed. In addition\, via analysis of th e feedback metrology we anticipate that optimised nozzle designs and jetti ng conditions could be achieved further benefitting the end user.\n\nhttps ://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4226/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4226/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Influencing lipid hydrolysis by minute molecular changes DTSTART:20211126T045500Z DTEND:20211126T051000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4292@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Wye-Khay Fong\, Livia Salvati Manni (University of S ydney)\, Salvatore Assenza\, Ehud Landau\, Michael Duss\, Ben Boyd (Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences)\n\nDesigner lipid colloids are bein g increasingly studied for the delivery of drugs and nutrients. These nano particles can have different internal nanostructures and different lipidic composition. Cyclopropanated derivatives of commonly used monoacylglycero ls show substantial differences in self-assembled structures\, and formati ons of nanostructured nanoparticles. Most remarkably\, small differences i n the hydrophobic tail affect the packing of the lipids\, sufficient to al ter the availability of the lipid headgroups to be hydrolysed by interfaci al enzymes. We employed small angle X-ray scattering and acid/base titrati on at the Australian Synchrotron SAXS/WAXS beamline to monitor the nanostr uctural changes during hydrolysis and the digestion rate. These fundamenta l characteristics are of interest for the smart design of lipidic nanopart icles for drug or nutrients delivery.\n\n\nSalvati Manni L. et al. (2021) J. Colloid Interface Sci. 588\, 767-775\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org. au/event/146/contributions/4292/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4292/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Effect of different cladding alloys and grinding on residual stres s in laser clad light rail components using neutron diffraction DTSTART:20211125T070900Z DTEND:20211125T071000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4229@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mark Reid (ANSTO)\, Ralph Abrahams (Monash Universit y)\, Anna Paradowska (ANSTO)\, Olivia Kendall (Monash University)\n\nOne of the greatest challenges threatening Australia’s railway infrastructur e is the rapid rate of rail degradation. Wear and rolling contact fatigue occur due to increasing speeds and tonnages of rollingstock\, requiring si gnificant funding by the Australian government to maintain. Light rail is particularly susceptible to degradation due to low carbon steel used in tr am switch blades.\n\nLaser cladding is a repair strategy which applies a m etallic deposition by melting a cladding powder with the substrate using a high energy laser. This process forms a metallurgical bonded layer whilst generating a heat affected zone (HAZ) containing a redistribution of resi dual stress due to phase changes and solidification shrinkage from the the rmal inputs.\n\nDuring operation\, cyclic wheel-rail contact stress is sup erimposed on the residual stress leading to fatigue. The ability to accura tely measure residual stresses non-destructively\, made possible using neu tron diffraction\, is critical in experimentally obtaining stress data for fatigue assessment. Laser cladding has been carried out on ex-service swi tch blades using a martensitic stainless steel and two Stellite alloys. A standard grinding procedure has been performed to replicate the stress con ditions experienced in-field after cladding repairs. \n\nStrain measuremen ts were undertaken on the Kowari strain scanner at ANSTO to determine the tri-axial stress across the cladding\, HAZ and substrate. The locations of the fusion boundary and HAZ have been identified through correlation of t he stress\, microstrain and full width at half maximum profiles. These fin dings accompany extensive evaluation of microstructure and mechanical prop erties to optimise laser cladding repairs in light rail components.\n\nhtt ps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4229/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4229/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The new external ion beam capability for testing of electronics su itable for harsh space radiation environments DTSTART:20211125T234500Z DTEND:20211126T000500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4402@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stefania Peracchi (ANSTO)\n\nIn 2019\, the Australia n Space Agency made its debut in the international scene of the space expl oration. Securing the future of Australia’s space sector is the core of the Advancing Space: Australian Civil space Strategy 2019-2028. This Gover nment plan reminds that space-based technology and services not only inter ests space missions\, but benefits all Australians daily as for weather fo recasting\, GPS\, internet access\, online banking\, emergency response tr acking bushfires\, monitoring of farming crops\, etc.\nTo further increase capability\, the Space Infrastructure Fund (SIF) investment was issued to target 7 space infrastructure projects that involve several industries\, organisations\, universities\, laboratories\, all around the country. Miss ion control and tracking facilities\, robotic & automation\, AI command an d control\, space data analysis facilities\, space manufacturing capabilit ies\, and space payload qualification facilities\, are the topics under st udy.\nANSTO together with other 5 fund recipients engaged its resources in the last-mentioned project (space payload qualification facilities)\, wit h the aim to establish the National Space Qualification Network (NSQN).\nP articularly\, the three ASNTO facilities Centre for Accelerator Science (C AS)\, the Australian Synchrotron and the Gamma Technology Research Irradia tor (GATRI) will focus on enhancing and improving their capabilities for s pace radiation damage testing of electronics used in space and ensure they meet international standards in this area. \nSpace technology can be affe cted by cosmic radiation when Single Event Upset (SEU) occurs\, knocking o ut temporary or permanently the instrumentation that is paramount for the successful accomplishment of a mission\, a test\, or simply the usual func tionality of a service.\nWe need to deep understand the cause and the freq uency of these events\, in order to reduce the risk of component failure a nd to consequently optimizse the electronics. Tests must be performed in g round-based facilities before commercialization of any device. \nANSTO fac ilities use accelerators to perform radiation tests with different beams ( gamma-rays\, x-rays\, protons and heavy ions) to eventually provide intern ational standards of Total Ionisation Dosage (TID) radiation testing for p roducts that can enter faster into global supply chains.\nBecause of the l imitations encountered while performing tests in vacuum\, at the CAS facil ity\, the High Energy Heavy Ion Microprobe (HIM) of the 10MV ANTARES accel erator has recently been upgraded to an external chamber for testing stand ard electronic chips in an ambient-in-air environment. Advantages of an ex -vacuum microprobe are: ease of handling the sample with no limits to the dimension of the sample itself\, no charge effects\, more effective target heat dissipation\, sampling is not required\, gain in terms of time used for pump-up and down the chamber\, and possibility to irradiate living sys tem without compromising them.\n\n\nStefania Peracchi1\,*\, David Cohen1\, Zeljko Pastuovic1\, Nikolas Paneras1\, David Button1\, Chris Hall2\, Just in Davies3\, Michael Mann1\, David Cookson4\, Michael Hotchkis1\, Ceri Bre nner1.\n\n1 Centre for Accelerator Science\, Australian Nuclear Science an d Technology Organisation\, Lucas Heights\, NSW 2234\, Australia\n2 IMBL\, Australian Synchrotron\, Clayton\, VIC 3168\, Australia \n3 Gamma Technol ogy Research Irradiator\, Lucas Heights\, NSW 2234\, Australia\n4 NSTLI In dustry and Stakeholder Engagement\, Lucas Heights\, NSW 2234\, Australia\n \nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4402/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4402/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Microbeam radiation therapy in a heart beat DTSTART:20211125T071100Z DTEND:20211125T071200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4232@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron)\, Katrin Porrath (Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology\, Rostock University M edical Center\, Rostock\, Germany)\, Jeremy Davis (University of Wollongon g)\, Michael Lerch (University of Wollongong)\, Chris Hall (Australian Syn chrotron)\, Jason Paino (UOW)\, Stefan Fiedler (EMBL\, Hamburg Outstation / DESY\, Hamburg\, Germany)\, Micah Barnes (RMIT)\, Elisabeth Schültke ( Department of Radiooncology\, Rostock University Medical Center\, Rostock\ , Germany)\, Falko Lange (Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology\, Ros tock University Medical Center\, Rostock\, Germany Center for Transdiscipl inary Neurosciences Rostock\, Rostock\, Germany)\, Mitzi Klein (Australian Synchrotron)\, Timo Kirschstein (Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiolog y\, Rostock University Medical Center\, Rostock\, Germany Center for Trans disciplinary Neurosciences Rostock\, Rostock\, Germany)\, Elette Engels (U niversity of Wollongong)\n\nNon-small-cell lung carcinomas are highly radi oresistant and so\, of potential interest for treatment with Microbeam Rad iation Therapy. In the thoracic cavity\, the therapeutic dose is limited l argely by the heart\; one of the most important organs of risk.\nWe develo ped an ex vivo protocol to study the acute response of the cardiac impulse conduction system to microbeam radiotherapy with high peak doses\, combin ing physiology measurements in the Langendorff model of the isolated beati ng heart with world-leading real-time small volume dosimetry.\nThe study w as performed in Hutch 2B of the Imaging and Medical Beam Line (IMBL) of th e Australian Synchrotron.\nThe acute physiological response of the heart w as measured for 60 minutes post-irradiation.\nWith no arrhythmia or ventri cle pressure drop\, results place the upper limit for normal functioning o f the heart between 400 – 4\,000 Gy\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au /event/146/contributions/4232/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4232/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Full Hemisphere Photoemission Using the Toroidal Analyser DTSTART:20211125T063100Z DTEND:20211125T063200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4355@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anton Tadich\n\nThe toroidal analyser at the Austral ian Synchrotron is an angle-resolving photoelectron spectrometer capable o f mapping the full hemisphere of emitted photoelectrons from a sample. Th is measurement capability is unusual amongst conventional photoelectron sp ectrometers\, and permits a number unique techniques for the electronic an d structural characterization of surfaces. This presentation will detail t he operating principles of the spectrometer\, with particular reference to the angular detection geometry\, and will describe the three modes of ful l hemisphere photoemission (i) Fermi Surface Mapping (ii) Molecular Tomogr aphy and (iii) Photoelectron Diffraction.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.or g.au/event/146/contributions/4355/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4355/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:EMU cold-neutron backscattering spectrometer at ACNS\, ANSTO DTSTART:20211125T063000Z DTEND:20211125T063100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4352@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nicolas de Souza (ANSTO - Australian Centre for Neut ron Scattering)\, Alice Klapproth (ANSTO)\n\nEMU is the high-resolution ne utron spectrometer installed at the OPAL reactor\, ANSTO\, which delivers 1 µeV FWHM energy transfer resolution for an accessible ±31 µeV energy transfer range. The spectral resolution is achieved by neutron backscatter ing from Si (111) crystals on the primary and secondary flight paths\, all owing up to 1.95 Å-1 momentum transfer range. The spectrometer is well fo r suited quasi-elastic and inelastic neutron scattering studies\, notably in the field of soft-condensed mater including biophysics and polymer scie nce\, chemistry and materials science\, and geosciences. \nMost experiment s are carried out with standard cryo-furnaces (2 to 800 K temperature rang e). Spectrometer beam-time access is merit-based\, thus welcoming experime nts as well in other materials research areas\, and including experiments that may require e.g.\, other ancillary equipment such as existing control led-gas delivery\, and potentially pressure\, applied field set-ups\, etc. We will present examples of the spectrometer capabilities through select case studies.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions /4352/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4352/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Characterising the temperature dependent spectra of polyethylene f or terahertz optics DTSTART:20211125T071300Z DTEND:20211125T071400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4234@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Roger Lewis (University of Wollongong)\, Thomas Sand ers (University of Wollonogong)\, Joseph Horvat (University of Wollongong) \, Jackson Allen (UOW)\n\nPolyethylene is a highly transparent material in the terahertz (THz) region (1-200 cm$^{-1}$). This makes it ideal for len ses and windows\, especially for cryostats. It is also often used as a bin ding medium in sample pellets to dilute trace amounts of optically thick s amples. \n\nOne caveat for this extremely useful material\, however\, is a n absorption at 73 cm$^{-1}$\, often overlooked when utilising polyethylen e for terahertz optics. This mode was first studied during the 1960’s [ 1\,2] but has sparsely been mentioned in scientific literature since\, mos t recently in 2019\, being described as “elusive” [3].\n\nTo determine the effects of this absorption on terahertz optics we have quantified the intensity and frequency of this mode from 6-300 K for different sample th icknesses on the THz beamline at the Australaian Synchrotron. We have obse rved a large redshift of 6.7 cm$^{-1}$ (79.9-73.2 cm$^{-1}$) with heating over this temperature range\, as well as significant reductions in the pea k intensity. These results indicate that for thin samples (\n\nhttps://eve nts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4234/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4234/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Inelastic Neutron Scattering of Liquid Metal Gallium DTSTART:20211125T071400Z DTEND:20211125T071500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4235@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dehong Yu (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, David Cortie (The University of Wollongong)\, Caleb Stamp er (University of Wollongong)\n\nLiquid metals (LMs) – metals that are l iquid near room temperature – have fascinated scientists for centuries. In the last few decades\, in particular\, the extent of their peculiar pro perties has been highlighted. Properties such as low melting point\, high flexibility and stretchability\, excellent thermal and electrical conducti vities\, and biocompatibility have led LMs to a wide variety of applicatio ns. While LMs have proven to be an exceptionally useful class of materials \, their unique properties also speak to various fundamental physical phen omena. In particular\, the (hydro)dynamics of LMs is of interest as they h ave a uniquely challenging nature: possessing the complex nature of regula r fluids as well as a “sea” of electrons – giving rise to unique hyd rodynamic effects. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is a particularly we ll-suited technique to investigate such effects as it probes the microscop ic hydrodynamic origins in the nanometer-terahertz regime. In this present ation\, we shall report our preliminary investigations on Ga across the ph ase transition from solid to liquid as a function of temperature using ine lastic neutron scattering. The analysis of the energy dependence of the ph onon density of states at low energy region reveals the transition from E^ 2 for the solid state to a more or less linear relationship corresponding to the liquid state. The dynamic changes will be further discussed in the content of atomic diffusive properties of the system through analysis of t he quasielastic neutron scattering in combination with molecular dynamic s imulations.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4 235/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4235/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Scientific computing support for neutron scattering experiments at ANSTO DTSTART:20211125T063300Z DTEND:20211125T063400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4357@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: RAMZI KUTTEH (ANSTO/ACNS)\n\nThe purpose of the scie ntific computing support at ANSTO is to aid in the interpretation of both structural and dynamical data from the neutron scattering instruments usin g atomistic modelling calculations. Most of these calculations are done wi th ab initio scientific software packages based on Density Functional Theo ry\, including VASP\, WIEN2K\, ABINIT\, SIESTA\, PHONON\, and QUANTUM ESPR ESSO\, although some are performed with packages based on classical force fields\, such as LAMMPS\, DL_POLY\, NAMD\, and GULP. Analysis of the resul ts of these calculations exploits tools such as VMD\, NMOLDYN\, XCRYSDEN\, and ISAACS\, in addition to in-house code. Calculations and analysis are carried out locally on a scientific computing Linux cluster comprising bot h ACNS dedicated cores and ANSTO shared ones\, with jobs managed by PBS. W e give a brief overview of all of the above capabilities and an example of a typical calculation/analysis.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/even t/146/contributions/4357/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4357/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Fusion Peptide Interactions with the Lipidic Cubic Phase DTSTART:20211125T063400Z DTEND:20211125T063500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4209@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Izabela Milogrodzka (Monash University)\n\nDespite t he fact that membrane fusion is a key step in many biological processes\, the underlying mechanism still remains elusive. The bicontinuous cubic pha ses are a perfect medium for the delivery of therapeutic proteins owing to their enhanced solubility\, sustained release and reduced toxicity. It ha s been suggested that the fusion event of viruses is tightly regulated by specialized fusion proteins which are responsible for protein-lipid intera ctions or protein-protein interactions. The fusion components of enveloped viral fusion involve viral proteins that insert hydrophobic sequences int o the target membrane and refold to drive merging of the lipid bilayers wh ich can be utilized to enhance drug delivery. By using high throughput met hodology to prepare and characterize viral fusion peptide interactions bas ed on lipid composition\, our study has revealed that the N-terminal charg e of the viral fusion peptide has a significant effect on lattice paramete r of the cubic phases. Induced curvature depends on peptide concentration but the mechanism was observed to be viral dependent. We investigated the phase behaviour which represents its fusion function and bilayer destabili zing effect\, upon encapsulation in bicontinuous cubic phases with and wit hout phospholipid using synchrotron SAXS. We also used TOF-SANS and contra st-matching of the lipid membrane to investigate the phase behaviour of th e mixed lipid systems. This is crucial for better understanding of the fun damental physiochemical parameters of the lipid mesophase in response to p eptide encapsulation and dependency of the peptide structural conformation .\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4209/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4209/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Recent highlights from the Pelican spectrometer DTSTART:20211125T063500Z DTEND:20211125T063600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4360@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Richard Mole (ANSTO)\, Dehong Yu (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\n\nThe cold-neutron time-of-flight s pectrometer Pelican has been in operation since 2014. Pelican is well sui ted to the measurement of quasielastic and inelastic scattering in the low energy region\, as a result Pelican is sensitive to many phenomena includ ing self-diffusion of molecular species\, low energy phonons\, crystal fie ld excitation's and spin waves. While use of the neutron energy gain port ion of the spectrum allows the detailed measurement of the phonon density of states. The spectrometer is well equipped with a wide range of sample environment which allows measurements in applied magnetic fields\, milli K eliven temperatures and applied pressure. In this contribution we will sh ow results from recent publications highlighting the diverse science and a pplication of the Pelican spectrometer.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org. au/event/146/contributions/4360/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4360/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding and controlling the formation of photonic crystals f rom polydisperse colloidal systems DTSTART:20211125T071500Z DTEND:20211125T071600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4237@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gary Bryant (Centre for Molecular and Nanoscale Phys ics\, School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University)\, Katherine Chea (RMIT University)\, Philipp Reineck (ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Bio Photonics\, School of Science\, RMIT University )\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)\ n\nThe fundamentals of crystallisation and glass formation are not yet ful ly understood. Colloidal suspensions have been shown to be promising model systems for understanding these processes. As colloidal motion is Brownia n\, rather than ballistic\, kinetics and dynamics can be studied in real-t ime. It is well documented that colloidal suspensions can “successfully crystallise” when the particles in the system have sufficiently low poly dispersity.[1\,2] This means that the particles must have a similar averag e size and shape. If a system is highly polydisperse\, this will hinder th e solidification process.\n\nIn this work we will explore colloidal nanodi amonds. Nanodiamonds are a topic of interest in many material studies due to their wide variety\, and unique mechanical and optical properties.[3\,4 ] Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) are of particular interest due to their u nique fabrication process. Due the detonation synthesis method\, the parti cles are small (several nm) and faceted\, but in solution self-assemble in to highly irregular fractal shapes.[5] Despite this high polydispersity\, when centrifuged\, these types of DNDs can yield incredibly ordered struct ures and form iridescent photonic crystals – this is highly surprising g iven the highly irregular structures of these materials. These photonic cr ystals were first discovered by Grichko *et al.*\,[5] however\, the mechan isms behind these highly ordered structures are still unknown. With a comb ination of lab techniques and beam time allocations at the Australian Sync hrotron\, ANSTO and potentially overseas neutron facilities\, we will syst ematically investigate these nanodiamond photonic crystals\, and examine t heir structure and formation kinetics.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.a u/event/146/contributions/4237/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4237/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Radiation monitor for astronaut safety and prediction of electroni c failure in the space mission DTSTART:20211125T071600Z DTEND:20211125T071700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4238@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Jackson (University of New South Wales)\, Vl adimir Pan (University of Wollongong)\, Pagani Federico (University of Wol longong)\, Vladimir Perevertaylo (SPA-BIT)\, Stefania Peracchi (University of Wollongong)\, Marco Petasseca (University of Wollongong)\, Naruhiro Ma tsufuji (National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Techn ology)\, David Bolst (University of Wollongong)\, James Vohradksy (Univers ity of Wollongong)\, Taku Inaniwa (National Institute for Quantum and Radi ological Science and Technology)\, Anatoly Rosenfeld (University of Wollon gong)\, Ceri Brenner (ANSTO)\, Alex Pogossov (University of Wollongong)\, Susanna Guatelli (University of Wollongong)\, Benjamin James (UOW - CMRP)\ , Zeljko Pastuovic (Centre for Accelerator Science of ANSTO)\, Linh Tran ( Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Dale Pr okopovich (ANSTO)\, Michael Lerch (University of Wollongong)\n\nAstronauts travelling through space are at risk of exposure to radiation arising fro m Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) and Solar particle events (SPE) which posses s a significant radiobiological effect. GCR is mostly made up of protons w ith a small proportion of GCR being high atomic number energetic particles \, which are difficult to shield while SPEs are events which occasionally eject large number of protons on top of a steady stream of photons and ele ctrons. The composition of GCRs and SPE creates a complex radiation field which becomes difficult to characterize in real time due to the large vari ety of ions and radiation types. The ability to measure the dose equivalen t in real time received by astronauts with high efficiency and accuracy is of great importance\, as the risk of excessive exposure can be monitored and minimized. A novel large area microdosimeter has been developed at the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong – named the Octobox\, for monitoring the dose equivalent and radiobiological risk to astronauts in a mixed radiation field environment\, typical to the one encountered in space. The Octobox’s response to 290 MeV/u 12C ion\, 230 and 490 MeV/u 28Si\, 400 MeV/u 20Ne at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC)\, Japan was studied. Both experimental and GEANT4 simulat ion data are showing that the Octobox is suitable for mixed radiation fiel d monitoring for space application with real-time readout of dose equivale nt values aiding in protection of astronauts on space missions.\n\nhttps:/ /events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4238/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4238/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Maximum flux: Using time-resolved neutron reflectometry to improve our understanding of surface-initiated polymerisation DTSTART:20211124T052000Z DTEND:20211124T053500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4294@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Isaac Gresham (The University of New South Wales)\, Edwin Johnson (Sheffield University)\, Andrew Nelson (ANSTO)\, Erica Wanle ss (erica.wanless@newcastle.edu.au)\, Stuart Prescott (UNSW Chemical Engin eering)\, Grant Webber (University of Newcastle)\, Hayden Robertson\n\nPol ymer brushes are dense arrays of surface-tethered polymers that possess de sirable qualities\, such as lubricity and fouling resistance\, provided th at their structure and chemistry are correctly tuned [1]. Surface-initiate d polymerisation (SIP) is the primary method for synthesising these brushe s with the physicochemical properties required to imbue surfaces with the aforementioned qualities. However\, previous work [2\,3] indicates that po lymers synthesised by SIP deviate from polymers produced via solution poly merisation\, likely due to the proximity of initiators in the tethered cas e. This deviation is not well understood\, which impedes the structural ch aracterisation of the resulting brushes. As structure dictates behaviour [ 1]\, understanding the nature of the brushes produced by SIP facilitates t he rational design of functional brush coatings.\n\nHere we present a stud y of brushes synthesised via SIP of the well-characterised polymer poly(N- isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) using time-resolved neutron reflectometry ( NR). First\, we demonstrate that we can control the polymer initiator dens ity and examine the relationship between molecular weight and grafting den sity. We then observe a series of SIP reactions from surfaces with differe nt initiator densities in situ using time-resolved NR. To our knowledge\, this is the first time that the structure of a growing polymer brush has b een directly observed. The results confirm that a high initiator density l eads to poor control early in the reaction\, and explain several phenomena observed by previous NR experiments [4\,5]. This experiment paves the way for further kinetic experiments on Platypus and will be of interest to an yone interested in the dynamic assembly of interfaces over timescales of 1 0 minutes to several hours.\n\n 1. 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00450\n 2. 10.10 21/acs.macromol.5b02261\n 3. 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01572\n 4. 10.1021/acs .macromol.6b01001\n 5. 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01502\n\nhttps://events.sync hrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4294/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4294/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Kowari residual stress diffractometer DTSTART:20211125T063600Z DTEND:20211125T063700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4361@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Vladimir Luzin\, Filomena Salvemini (ANSTO)\, Mark R eid (ANSTO)\n\nKowari is a residual stress diffractometer which can be use d for ‘strain scanning’ of large engineering components as large as on e ton. The integrity of engineering components often depends on strains an d stresses inside the material. For example\, rails can fail if stresses e xceed the ‘ultimate tensile stress’.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org .au/event/146/contributions/4361/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4361/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Current Facilities on the Soft X-ray Beamline DTSTART:20211125T063700Z DTEND:20211125T063800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4362@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lars Thomsen\, Bruce Cowie (ANSTO)\, Anton Tadich\n\ nThe soft X-ray beamline at the Australian Synchrotron has been operating with users since 2008. The beamline offers three different systems for use rs\; A full Ultra High Vacuum surface science system with Nexafs and Photo -emission capabilities\, an Angle Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy (AR PES) system operated with La Trobe University and a High Throughput system exclusively for Nexafs but with vacuum pressure restrictions relaxed from UHV to lie in the 10-7 to 10-8 mbar range. The current specific capabili ty of all three instruments will be presented.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotr on.org.au/event/146/contributions/4362/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4362/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A high-temperature furnace for MEX DTSTART:20211125T075500Z DTEND:20211125T075600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4188@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Emily Finch (Australian Synchrotron)\, Jeremy Wykes (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nThe Medium Energy X-ray Absorption Spectroscop y (MEX) Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron is currently being commissi oned and is due to start running user experiments in the second half of 20 22. \nThe facility will provide a series of specialised sample environment s for users to conduct in situ measurements of important scientific proces ses. One of these sample environments will be a high-temperature furnace\, which will provide users with world-class experimental conditions and bri ng MEX in line with the capabilities of other synchrotron facilities. \nBa sed on the requirements specified by users in a 2020 survey of the Austral ian Synchrotron user community\, the furnace will be designed to heat samp les to ̴ 500 – 1500 °C\, and will be compatible with a range of gases \, including He\, N2\, CO2\, O2\, CO\, and Ar.\nThe high-temperature\, con trolled-atmosphere experimental conditions that such a furnace will provid e are useful in Earth science for examining processes occurring in silicat e melts\, emulating conditions in the Earth’s crust. Some of the process es occurring at crustal conditions can only be observed in situ\, rather t han in the quenched products of experiments. \nThe furnace will also be us eful in materials science and chemistry for examining the behaviour of met als at high temperatures in a controlled atmosphere.\n\nhttps://events.syn chrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4188/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4188/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Prof Despina Louca - Plenary DTSTART:20211123T230000Z DTEND:20211123T233000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4389@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Despina Louca (University of Virginia)\n\nTo be supp lied\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4389/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4389/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Wombat – the high intensity diffractometer at OPAL DTSTART:20211125T071900Z DTEND:20211125T072000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4178@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chin-Wei Wang (NSRRC)\, James Hester (ANSTO)\, Andre w Studer (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, Australian Nuclear Sc ience and Technology Organisation)\, Vanessa Peterson (ANSTO)\, Helen Mayn ard-Casely (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\n\nWom bat is a high intensity neutron diffractometer located in the OPAL Neutron Guide Hall. It is primarily used as a high-speed powder diffractometer\, but has also expanded into texture characterisation and single-crystal mea surement\, particularly diffuse scattering. The high performance comes fr om the combination of the best area detector ever constructed for neutron diffraction with the largest beam guide yet put into any research reactor and a correspondingly large crystal monochromator\, all combine with the c entre’s polarisation capability to provide an instrument which is unique within the Southern hemisphere. \n \nWombat has been used to explore a b road range of materials\, including: novel hydrogen-storage materials\, ne gative-thermal-expansion materials\, methane-ice clathrates\, piezoelectri cs\, high performance battery anodes and cathodes\, high strength alloys\, multiferroics\, superconductors and novel magnetic materials. Our poster will highlight both the capacity of the instrument\, and some recent resul ts.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4178/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4178/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ATOS-GOM structured light 3D scanner\, replacement new for old or intriguing possibilities! DTSTART:20211125T063800Z DTEND:20211125T063900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4364@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mark Reid (ANSTO)\n\nThe ATOS-GOM structured light 3 D scanner is a replacement for the laser scanner previously used on the Ko wari instrument. In addition to outlining its operation\, this talk will a ddress some exciting possibilities this new piece of equipment brings to t he Kowari instrument.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contr ibutions/4364/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4364/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ADS-1 and ADS-2: New high-energy X-ray beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron DTSTART:20211125T063900Z DTEND:20211125T064000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4370@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ben McMahon (Australian Synchrotron\, ANSTO)\, Josie Auckett (Australian Synchrotron)\, Matt Fenwick (Australian Synchrotron\, ANSTO)\, Renata Lippi (Australian Synchrotron)\, Justin Kimpton\, Ross Ho gan (Australian Synchrotron - ANSTO)\n\nEight new beamlines are currently under design or construction at the Australian Synchrotron as part of the BRIGHT project. Included among them are the Advanced Diffraction and Scatt ering beamlines\, ADS-1 and ADS-2\, which will offer high-energy X-rays (4 5-150 keV) for a variety of diffraction\, imaging and tomography experimen ts. ADS will benefit users from the materials\, minerals and engineering r esearch communities who wish to study bulky or strongly absorbing samples and/or perform *in situ* measurements using complex sample environments. W e present an update on the progress of the ADS project\, including the lat est design features of the two beamline endstations and the planned range of experimental capabilities.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/1 46/contributions/4370/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4370/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:15 Years of Brilliance at the Australian Synchrotron DTSTART:20211126T021000Z DTEND:20211126T023000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4396@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael James (ANSTO)\n\nThe Australia Synchrotron a chieved first light in August 2006\, and since then has operated 10 indivi dual beamlines as part of Australia's largest standalone scientific resear ch facility. In a typical year\, the facility conducts up to 1000 individ ual experiment\, and hosts more than 5000 User visits. Although modest co mpared to international synchrotron facilities in terms of the size of our storage ring\, our staffing levels and the number of beamlines\, the Aust ralian Synchrotron's research community is one of the most productive in t he world\; generating more than 650 peer-reviewed journal articles in 2020 . Over the past 15 years the Australian Synchrotron has supported the dev elopment of the scientific careers of thousands of students\, researchers\ , and our staff. This presentation celebrates some of the highlights in b eamline and technique development\, as well as showcasing trends in high i mpact research outcomes from the Australian Synchrotron.\n\nhttps://events .synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4396/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4396/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The High Performance Macromolecular Crystallography (MX3) Beamline DTSTART:20211126T030000Z DTEND:20211126T031500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4378@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hima Cherukuvada (Australian Synchrotron)\, Sandeep Nuthalapati (Australian Synchrotron)\, Nicole Cain (Australian Synchrotron )\, Francisco Hernandez Vivanco (Australian Synchrotron)\, Daniel Eriksson (Australian Synchrotron)\, Christina Magoulas (Australian Synchrotron)\, Robert Rostan (Australian Synchrotron)\, Tom Caradoc-Davies (Australian Sy nchrotron.)\, Danny Wong\n\nThe MX3 beamline will extend the capabilities of the existing suite of MX beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron. It wi ll allow collection on crystals that are too small or weakly diffracting f or the current beamlines. A high level of automation will transform membra ne protein micro crystal collection and high throughput projects such as d rug and fragment screening. Sample positioning will be provided via an MD3 -UP goniometer and an ISARA robot will allow 6 second sample exchange. Ser ial crystallography capability will be provided using in-tray screening an d collection and fixed target silicon chip scanning stages. A dedicated cl uster will provide real-time data processing and automated data collection will be standard. This will include automated location of crystals from a rastered volume with subsequent data collection on each crystal with resu lting automated data merging from multiple crystals. \n\nSome outstanding questions for the user community relate to time-resolved crystallography\, and injector experiment capabilities\; options will be presented and disc ussed.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4378/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4378/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Chiral CPs formed using chiral heterotopic ligands DTSTART:20211125T072100Z DTEND:20211125T072200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4183@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: David Turner (Monash University)\, Nicholas Kyratzis (Monash University)\n\nThe use of heterotopic ligands in the synthesis of coordination polymers (CPs) using pyridyl groups and carboxylates have be en extensive. But the use of chiral heterotopic ligands using pyridyl gro ups and phthalimide groups has not been explored. Chiral coordination pol ymers have been formed using leucine\, phenylalanine and cysteine substitu ted pyridylphthalimide cores (L3pyph\, M3pyph and L4pyph)\, where the pyri dyl groups have been substituted in the 3 and 4 positions. One dimensiona l coordination polymers have been formed using L3pyph and P3pyph\, where t here are π-π interactions between parallel 1D chains. However\, the use of more exotic amino acids such cysteine\, C3pyph\, has allowed for a 2D c oordination polymer to be formed through the formation of disulphide bonds between 1D chains. A two fold interpenetrated 2D dimensional coordinatio n polymer has been formed using L4pyph and P4pyph. These illustrates that the substitution of the pyridyl group between the 3 and the 4 position ha s a major influence with the coordination polymers formed.\n\nhttps://even ts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4183/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4183/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ligand binding domain and the in teractivity with ion-channel control DTSTART:20211125T072200Z DTEND:20211125T072300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4220@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anthony Duff (ANSTO)\, Thomas Balle (The University of Sydney)\, Zheng Chen (The University of Sydney)\, Karine Bastard (The U niversity of Sydney)\, W. Bret Church (The University of Sydney)\n\nEnceph alopathies are a group of brain dysfunctions which leads to cognitive\, se nsory\, and motor impairments. Recent developments in the field have led t o the identification of several mutations within the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor as one of the possible culprits for this group of conditions. How ever\, understanding of the underlying changes to the receptor due to thes e mutations has been elusive to date. We aimed to determine the effects of one of the first mutations identified within the N-methyl-D-aspartate rec eptor GluN1 ligand binding domain\, Ser688Tyr. This mutation was identifie d and associated with early onset encephalopathy. We performed molecular d ocking\, randomly seeded molecular dynamics simulations\, and binding free energy calculations to determine the behaviour of the 2 main co-agonists: glycine and D-serine and their effects on ion channel function. We determ ined that the Ser688Tyr mutation leads to instability of both ligands with in the ligand binding site due to changes within the ligand binding domain associated with the mutation. Associated binding free energy for both lig ands also increased significantly in the mutated receptor. These results r einforce previously observed in vitro electrophysiology data and provides additional information on ligand behaviour. Upcoming studies involve the u se of crystallography and neutron scattering to determine the effects of t his mutation on ion-channel function. This study provides valuable insight into the consequences of mutations within the N-methyl-D-aspartate recept or GluN1 ligand binding domain.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event /146/contributions/4220/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4220/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural insights into the ferroxidase and iron sequestration me chanisms of ferritin from Caenorhabditis elegans DTSTART:20211124T010500Z DTEND:20211124T012000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4265@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hanssen Eric (Ian Holmes Imaging Centre\, Bio21 Mole cular Science and Biotechnology Institute)\, Megan Maher (La Trobe Univers ity)\, Sanjeedha Mohamed Murbarak (Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnolo gy Institute)\, Brown Hamish (Ian Holmes Imaging Centre\, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute)\, McColl Gawain (The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health)\, Tess Malcolm (Bio21 Molecular Scienc e and Biotechnology Institute)\, Jameson Guy (Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute)\n\nIron is an essential trace element that\, when in excess\, becomes highly toxic [1]. Intracellular iron concentration mu st be strictly regulated by a network of interacting mechanisms [2]. Ferri tin is a ubiquitous iron-storage protein that forms a highly conserved 24- subunit spherical cage-like structure. Ferritin catalyses the oxidation of iron (II) to iron (III) and sequesters the newly oxidised iron (III) as a mineral core to prevent cellular damage [3]. In this study\, we use the m odel organism\, Caenorhabditis elegans\, to investigate iron uptake\, oxid ation\, storage and release by ferritin. \nC. elegans expresses two ferri tin proteins\, FTN-1 and FTN-2\, which both exhibit ferroxidase activity [ 4]. FTN-2 functions at a rate significantly faster than FTN-1 despite cons ervation of all catalytic residues\, suggesting that structural difference s at a location distinct to the ferroxidase centre may influence catalytic activity. We solved the X-ray crystal structures of FTN-1 (1.84 Å) and F TN-2 (1.47 Å)\, and the cryo-EM structure of FTN-2 (1.88 Å). FTN-1 and F TN-2 both adopt the conserved 24-subunit cage-like structure and bind one iron (II) in the ferroxidase centre of each chain. We postulate that iron (II) accesses the ferroxidase centre through a three-fold symmetrical pore . This pore is notably larger and more negatively charged in the FTN-2 str ucture and may facilitate easier access of iron (II) to the ferroxidase ce ntre\, resulting in a faster catalysis rate. \nThese structural insights further our understanding of the mechanisms used by ferritin to regulate iron storage and the overall role of ferritin in iron homeostasis.\n\nhttp s://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4265/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4265/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Chiral Detection with Fluorescent Coordination Polymers DTSTART:20211125T072300Z DTEND:20211125T072400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4186@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Shannon Thoonen (The University of Melbourne)\, Caro l Hua (The University of Melbourne)\n\nChirality is an intrinsic property of life on Earth. Biological systems have evolved alongside chiral molecul es like proteins\, DNA\, and sugars\, which all exist as pairs of nonsuper imposable mirror images. These mirror images\, called enantiomers\, are ch emically indistinguishable\, except when they interact with other chiral s ystems. Chiral drugs like ibuprofen differ in their effectiveness based on the chiral purity of the dose\, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame can taste bitter if unwanted enantiomers are not filtered out prior to con sumption\, owing to the human body’s inherent chirality. The need to dif ferentiate and separate the enantiomers of chiral compounds has led to the development of chiral sensors: molecular systems that can identify the en antiomeric purity of a sample.\n\nCoordination polymers (CPs) and metal-or ganic frameworks (MOFs) are ideally suited to chiral sensing. These crysta lline frameworks consist of extended structures of organic linkers bridgin g metal centres\, and are both easily tuned and potentially porous\, enabl ing the incorporation of small guest compounds into their internal voids. When the parent framework is chiral\,1 one enantiomer of a chiral guest mo lecule will have a stronger interaction with the structure than its opposi te. This dichotomy in binding strength can be paired with methods like cir cular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and fluorescent techniques to assess a s ample’s enantiomeric composition.2\n\nThis poster presentation will desc ribe the synthesis of a chiral\, fluorescent CP and its crystal structure\ , recorded on the MX1 beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. The ability of this framework to differentiate the enantiomers of chiral guest compoun ds through fluorescent quenching measurements will also be highlighted.\n\ nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4186/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4186/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Gd-TPP-DOTA reduces cell viability in cancer cells via synchrotron radiotherapy DTSTART:20211124T033000Z DTEND:20211124T034500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4266@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mitra Safavi-Naeini (ANSTO)\, Daniel Hausermann (Aus tralian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\, Louis Rendina (University of Sydney)\, Andr ew Chacon\, Micah Barnes (RMIT)\, Ryan Middleton (ANSTO)\, Benjamin Frase r (ANSTO)\, Elle Livio (ANSTO)\, Michael Lerch (University of Wollongong)\ , Nicholas Howell (ANSTO)\, Naomi Wyatt (ANSTO)\, Matthew Cameron (CMRP Un iversity of Wollongong)\n\nHigh-Z elements have been proposed as radiosens itisers in X-ray photon radiotherapy due to their emission of multiple hig h-LET photo- and Auger electrons following X-ray irradiation. Gadolinium i s a particularly attractive candidate radiosensitiser\, since it can also be used as an MRI contrast agent. In this study\, we report on the efficac y of Gd-triphenylphosphonium salt-DOTA (Gd(III)-TPP-DOTA) for synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy dose enhancement. The compound utilises the mi tochondrial targeting moiety triphenylphosphonium (TPP) to accumulate Gd i n the inner mitochondrial membrane. \n\nExperiments were conducted using t he dynamic mode option at hutch 2B of the Imaging and Medical Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. Human glioblastoma multiforme cells (T98G cell line) were cultured to 80-90% confluence in T12.5 flasks. Approximately 2 4 hours prior to irradiation\, the cultures were either treated with a 500 μM solution of Gd(III)DOTA-TPP or a vehicle control. Spatial dose distri bution of synchrotron broad beam (BB) and single/multiple microbeams were measured using a micron-scale X-Tream dosimetry system and Gafchromic film s in air and at 2 cm depth in solid water (same depth as the monolayer of cells in T12.5 flasks). A total of 96 flasks were irradiated\, with doses of 0\, 1\, 2\, 3\, 4\, 5\, 10 and 16 Gy delivered in valley (MRT) or unifo rmly (BB). Post irradiation\, each flask was re-seeded into 7 x 96 well-pl ates to perform the resazurin cell proliferation assay up to 7 days after irradiation. \n\nOur preliminary analysis indicates that for cells irradia ted by 3 Gy of BB or MRT radiation\, the addition of Gd(III)DOTA-TPP resul ts in a reduction in viable cell mass by 24.25% and 25.79%\, respectively\ , compared with untreated flasks.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/eve nt/146/contributions/4266/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4266/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tomographic X-ray phase and attenuation extraction for a sample co mposed of unknown materials DTSTART:20211126T000500Z DTEND:20211126T002000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4313@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Darren Lockie\, Giuliana Tromba (Elettra - Sincrotro ne Trieste)\, David Paganin (School of Physics and Astronomy\, Monash Univ ersity)\, TImur Gureyev (the University of Melbourne)\, Konstantin Pavlov\ , Fulvia Arfelli (University of Trieste and INFN)\, Kaye Morgan (Monash Un iversity)\, Fabrizio Zanconati (Department of Medical Science-Unit of Path ology\, University of Trieste\, Trieste\, Italy)\, Ralf Hendrik Menk (Elet tra-Sincrotrone Trieste\, Trieste\, Italy)\, Sherry Mayo (CSIRO)\, Sara M ohammadi (Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste\, Trieste\, Italy)\, Samantha Alloo\ n\nPropagation-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging (PB-PCXI) is a technique suitable for imaging weakly-attenuating objects\, e.g.\, biological sampl es\, as it utilizes both attenuation and refraction effects. Such effects are material dependent\, and described by the X-ray’s complex refractive index n=1-δ+iβ\, where β and δ describe attenuation\, and refraction\ , respectively. Phase retrieval algorithms are typically applied to PB-PCX I images to recover lost phase information. A single-material reconstructi on\, based on the transport-of-intensity equation\, has been published by Paganin et al. [1] and has proven useful in diverse fields. This approach has been extended to consider multi-material objects [2]\, and partially-c oherent X-ray sources [3]. The described phase-retrieval algorithms can su ccessfully recover the projected-phase information of an object\, however\ , they require a priori knowledge of the sample materials. We present an a lgorithm capable of extracting β and δ functions for a sample that is co mposed of unknown materials. The essence of the approach is based on curve -fitting an error-function to each interface between distinct materials in a computed tomographic reconstruction [4]\, where the fit parameters are then used to calculate δ and β for composite materials. This approach re quires no a priori sample information\, making it broadly applicable\, par ticularly in cases where exact sample composition is unknown. We have appl ied this method to a breast-tissue sample\, where the δ for composite mat erials was calculated to 0.6% - 2.5% accuracy\, compared to theoretical va lues.\n\n1. D. M. Paganin et al.\, J.Microsc. 206\, 33 (2002)\n2. M. A. Be ltran et al.\, Opt.Express 18\, 6423 (2010)\n3. M. A. Beltran et al.\, J.O pt. 20\, 055605 (2018)\n4. D. A. Thompson et al.\, J.Synchrotron.Radiat. 2 6\, 825-838 (2019)\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribu tions/4313/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4313/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A Comparison of Different Approaches to Image Quality Assessment i n Phase-Contrast Mammography DTSTART:20211125T001500Z DTEND:20211125T003000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4268@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Konstantin Pavlov\, Patrick Brennan\, TImur Gureyev (the University of Melbourne)\, Jesse Reynolds (University of Canterbury)\ n\nPropagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PB-CT) has the po tential to improve breast cancer detection and characterisation compared t o established mammography techniques. The aim of this work is to find a qu antitative image quality metric which could accurately predict the subject ive clinical image quality assessment of PB-CT images made by radiologists as described in Taba et al. [1].\n\nThe experimental data analysed in thi s study included PB-CT scans\, which were obtained for 12 full intact mast ectomy samples at Imaging and Medical beamline (IMBL) of the Australian Sy nchrotron at different monochromatic X-ray energies and clinically relevan t radiation doses. Quantitative image quality metrics including visibility \, signal to noise ratio (SNR)\, and spatial resolution\, were calculated for all PB-CT and conventional CT image sets using the open-source 3D Slic er (https://www.slicer.org/) software. For each metric\, an objective imag e quality “score” was generated to match the subjective scoring provid ed by the radiologists. Weighting factors were then applied to the scores and a weighted contrast to noise to resolution (CNR/res) score was calcula ted.\n\nThe unscaled contrast and spatial resolution scores were both foun d to have a significant correlation with the radiologists’ scores with R values of 0.9223 and 0.8360 respectively\, while SNR had an insignificant correlation\, with an R value of -0.6785. The weighted CNR/res score show ed a significant correlation to the radiologists’ scores with an R value of 0.9681.\n\n[1] S. T. Taba et al.\, Academic radiology 28.1 (2021): e20 -e26.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4268/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4268/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ruthenium-Based Pyrochlore Oxides for Improved Electrocatalysis DTSTART:20211125T072600Z DTEND:20211125T072700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4194@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Brendan Kennedy (The University of Sydney)\, Matilde Saura-Múzquiz (University of Sydney)\, Frederick Marlton (University of Sydney)\, Bryce Mullens (University of Sydney)\n\nEnergy security during t he transition to a low-carbon economy is one of society’s grand challeng es. One possible method of developing carbon-neutral energy generation is through the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen gas. However\, these gases m ust be able to be sustainably sourced using low-emission technologies.\n \ nOne such method is using electrocatalysts – catalysts capable of splitt ing water into hydrogen and oxygen gas in the presence of electricity. Cur rently\, industry standard electrocatalysts contain a high noble metal con tent\, such as ruthenium and iridium. These metals are extremely expensive and their performance can degrade over time. Recently\, pyrochlore oxides have emerged as promising alternatives due to their low noble metal conte nt\, extreme stability\, and high oxygen evolution activity in acidic envi ronments. However\, despite this\, debate currently exists in the literatu re as to what specific structural properties of these materials lead to th eir superior electrocatalytic performance. \n\nThis work presents full str uctural models of various ruthenium pyrochlore oxides of the form (Y$_{2-x }M_{x}$)Ru$_{2}$O$_{7-d}$ ($M$ = Mn-Zn) based on various diffraction and s pectroscopic studies. X-ray and neutron diffraction\, as well as X-ray abs orption spectroscopy\, have been used to determine the short-range local a nd long-range average structures of these electrocatalysts. Cyclic voltamm etry measurements have further shown significant oxygen evolution reaction activity compared to industry-standard ruthenium oxide\, despite containi ng substantially less ruthenium. This has allowed us to establish structur e-functionality relationships for these electrocatalysts\, further develop ing and improving them for overall water splitting reactions.\n\nhttps://e vents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4194/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4194/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Physical insights into self-assembly of enzymatic protein particle s using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) DTSTART:20211125T072800Z DTEND:20211125T072900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4181@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Victoria Haritos (Monash University)\, Lizhong He (M onash University)\, Chang Liu (Monash University)\, Bhuvana Shanbhag (Mona sh University)\, Tayyaba Younas (Monash University)\n\nAssembled protein p articles are emerging as advanced protein biomaterials with significant im pact in areas of vaccine development\, biocatalysis\, drug delivery and bi osensing. To date\, assembled protein particles primarily serve as scaffol d to tether functional entities for various applications. Since they lack inherent functional properties\, subsequent functionalisation of protein p articles is essential. In this work\, we present a simple approach using self-assembling peptides to form particles of protein of interest in the p resence of stimuli.[1] We demonstrate this by a model protein-peptide modu le using enzyme bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA) fused with self-assembling peptide (P114) via GS-linker and expressed in E. coli. The BCA-P114 self- assembles into particles in response to two different stimuli i.e.\, pH an d magnesium ions. Through dynamic light scattering we showed that BCA-P114 particles form spontaneously\, and particle size can be controlled with t he extent of stimuli.[2] Using SAXS (SAXS/WAXS beamline at the Australian Synchrotron)\, we studied the self-assembly kinetics and the timescales of BCA-P114 particle formation using magnesium ions as stimuli. The SAXS ana lysis of particle formation kinetics exhibited the particle formation to o ccurs within 10 secs of exposure to magnesium ions. Furthermore\, the stru cture and function of BCA-P114 particle were confirmed by transmission ele ctron microscopy and enzyme assay respectively. Our self-assembling strate gy provides a platform for the spontaneous formation and customisation of particles of desired functional protein.[3] This platform technology will open-up new opportunities to adapt functional proteins into particles for use as advanced biomaterial.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/14 6/contributions/4181/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4181/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Gallium Implanted ‘Trojan Ho rse’ Surfaces for Implantable Devices DTSTART:20211126T030500Z DTEND:20211126T032000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4269@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Shiva Kamini Divakarla (The University of Sydney\, S ydney Nano Institute\, Faculty of Medicine and Health\, Sydney Pharmacy Sc hool\, Sydney\, NSW 2006\, Australia)\, Thomas Groth (Biomedical Materials Group\, Institute of Pharmacy\, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg )\, Zeljko Pastuovic (Centre for Accelerator Science of ANSTO)\, Seiji Yam aguchi (Department of Biomedical Sciences\, College of Life and Health Sci ences\, Chubu University)\, Theerthankar Das (Infection\, Immunity and Inf lammation\, Charles Perkins Centre\, School of Medical Sciences)\, Mihail Ionescu (ANSTO)\, Jun-Hyeog Jang (Department of Biochemistry\, Inha Univer sity School of Medicine)\, Harald Loppnow (Department of Internal Medicine III\, Medical Faculty)\, Hala Alkhoury (Biomedical Materials Group\, Inst itute of Pharmacy\, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)\, Chandrale kha Chatterjee (Biomedical Materials Group\, Institute of Pharmacy\, Marti n Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)\, Wojciech Chrzanowski (The Universi ty of Sydney\, Sydney Nano Institute\, Faculty of Medicine and Health\, Sy dney Pharmacy School)\n\nA rapidly aging population\, high incidence of os teoporosis and trauma-related fractures\, and better health care access ex plain rapid surge in utilisation of orthopedic implantable devices. Unfort unately\, many implants fail without strategies that synergistically preve nt infections and enhance the implant’s integration with host tissues. H ere\, we propose a solution that builds on our pioneering work on gallium (Ga)-enhanced biomaterials\, which show exceptional antimicrobial activity \, and combined it with defensin (De\, hBD-1)\, which has potent anti-micr obial activity in vivo as part of the innate immune system. Our aim was to simultaneously impart antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory proper ties to polymer-based implantable devices through the modification of the surfaces with Ga ions and immobilisation of De. Poly-lactic acid (PLA) fil ms were modified using Ga implantation using the Surface Engineering Beaml ine of the 6MV SIRIUS tandem accelerator at ANSTO Australia\, and subseque ntly functionalised with De. Ga ion implantation increased surface roughne ss and increased stiffness of treated PLA surfaces and led to the reductio n in foreign body giant cell formation and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Ga implantation and defensin immobilization both independ ently and synergistically introduced antimicrobial activity to the surface s\, significantly reducing total live biomass. We demonstrated\, for the f irst time\, that antimicrobial effects of De were enhanced by its surface immobilization. Cumulatively\, the Ga-De surfaces were able to kill bacter ia and reduce inflammation in comparison to the untreated control. These i nnovative surfaces have the potential to prevent biofilm formation without inducing cellular toxicity or inflammation\, which is essential in enhanc ing integration of implantable devices with host tissues and hence\, ensur e their longevity.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribu tions/4269/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4269/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Exploring the Surface of Vanadium Phosphate Cathode Materials DTSTART:20211125T073100Z DTEND:20211125T073200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4193@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tristram Jenkins (Queensland University of Technolog y)\, Jose Alarco (Queensland University of Technology)\, Ian Mackinnon (Qu eensland University of Technology)\, Bruce Cowie (Australian Synchrotron)\ n\nIn this study\, we used a combination of synchrotron soft X-ray absorpt ion spectroscopy (XAS)\, lab-scale experimental techniques and first princ iples computation to critically examine and validate the surface and bulk electronic structure of prototypical vanadium (III) phosphate intercalatio n cathode materials\, Na3V2(PO4)3\, Li3V2(PO4)3 and K3V3(PO4)4• H2O. Us ing a combination of XPS\, Raman UV-Vis -NIR\, UPS and DFT calculations\, a full picture of each AVPs electronic structure was developed and validat ed using both experimental and calculated electronic structure and density of states data. From our synchrotron data\, XAS fluorescence yield and el ectron yield measurements reveal substantial variation in surface-to-bulk atomic structure\, vanadium oxidation states and density of oxygen hole st ates across all AVP samples. We attribute this variation to an intrinsic a lkali metal surface depletion layer identified across these alkali metal v anadium (III) phosphates. We propose that an alkali-depleted surface provi des a beneficial interface with the bulk structure(s) that raises the Ferm i level and improves surface charge transfer kinetics at the surface of th is family of materials. This surface depletion phenomenon has been previou sly reported in other prominent transition metal phosphate intercalation c athodes\, such as LiFePO4 and its general presence here suggests wider ubi quity amongst alkali transition metal phosphate materials.\n\nhttps://even ts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4193/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4193/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Cholesterol catabolism: An exploitable weakness in mycobacterial i nfections? DTSTART:20211125T073600Z DTEND:20211125T073700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4212@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Amna Ghith (The University of Adelaide)\, Stephen Be ll (The University of Adelaide)\, Daniel Doherty (The University of Adelai de)\n\nFollowing the development of modern antibiotics and the net improve ment of health care systems globally\, tuberculosis (TB)\, a contagious an d pathogenic bacterial infection caused by *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*\, has been largely eliminated from developed countries. Despite this improve ment TB remained a top 10 cause of death globally in 2020\, which\, when c ombined with the rise in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)\, repr esents an urgent global health concern. Other pathogenic mycobacteria incl uding *Mycobacterium ulcerans*\, the causative agent of Buruli Ulcer and * Mycobacterium abscessus*\, a bacterium that affects cystic fibrosis patien ts\, are also emerging public health threats. Mycobacteria are unique in t heir ability to metabolise host cell cholesterol\, and this pathway has be come a target for new antibiotic treatments to drug-resistant infections. The cytochrome P450 enzymes of the CYP125\, CYP142 and CYP124 families ini tiate cholesterol metabolism. There are different numbers of cholesterol m etabolising P450s in each Mycobacterium species. For example\, *Mycobacter ium ulcerans* and *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* have one of each CYP125\, C YP142 and CYP124 enzymes\, while *Mycobacterium abscessus* has four differ ent CYP125 enzymes and no copies of CYP142 and CYP124. The reasons for dif ferent P450 profiles between mycobacteria remain unknown\, as does a mecha nistic understanding of the P450-mediated cholesterol oxidation. This proj ect aims to understand the structural\, evolutionary and mechanistic diffe rences between enzymes of these three families. Also\, screening of these enzymes as targets for a new class of cholesterol-based\, anti-tubercular inhibitors will be undertaken.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/ 146/contributions/4212/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4212/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The silver bullet: using silver doped lanthanum manganite to selec tively target deadly brain cancer DTSTART:20211125T004500Z DTEND:20211125T010000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4275@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Moeava Tehei (University of Wollongong)\, Michael Va lceski (University of Wollongong)\, Abass Khochaiche (University of Wollon gong)\, Konstantin Konstantinov (University fo Wollongong)\, Nan Li (Unive rsity of Wollongong)\, Elette Engels (University of Wollongong)\, Stephani e Corde (Prince of Wales Hospital )\, Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\, Matt Westlak e (University of Wollongong)\, Joseph Horvat (University of Wollongong)\, Alice O'Keefe (University of Wollongong)\, Anatoly Rosenfeld (University o f Wollongong)\, Michael Lerch (University of Wollongong)\, Sarah Vogel (Un iversity of Wollongong)\n\n**Introduction**\nTreatment of deadly cancers t hat are deep-seated within sensitive healthy tissue is limited to adequate targeting strategies. More specifically\, brain and central nervous syst em cancers can be the most aggressive\, have higher mortality rates and lo wer accessibility to chemotherapeutic drugs. This study introduces the fi rst in-depth analysis doped lanthanum manganite (LAGMO) nanoparticles (NPs ) as a brain cancer selective chemotherapeutic and radiation dose enhancer \n\n**Method**\nThe magnetic\, chemical and biological properties of LAGMO NPs at silver dopant levels of 0-10% were investigated. Magnetic and che mical phases of LAGMO NPs were analysed with neutron diffraction using the ECHIDNA High-Resolution Powder Diffractometer. Biocompatibility and comb inational treatment strategies involved in vitro biological endpoint clono genic assays\, live cell imaging and a cancer cell selectivity investigati on.\n\n**Results**\nNeutron diffraction revealed that 10% LAGMO NPs exhibi t residual ferromagnetism at 300 K suggesting potential hyperthermia cance r treatment strategies. Biocompatibility studies of LAGMO NPs with cancer ous and non-cancerous cells displayed completely cancer cell selective tox ic response while non-cancerous cell growth was promoted. Clonogenic assa ys revealed a significant decrease in long-term survival of cancer cells w ith NPs and radiation therapy compared to radiation alone. \n\n**Conclusi on**\nLAGMO NPs have potential to significantly improve targeted cancer tr eatment strategies. Their unique magnetic properties introduce a potentia l to induce cancer cell hyperthermia alongside radiation treatment and imp rove clinical outcomes. Furthermore\, they promote non-cancerous cell gro wth while severely damaging cancer cells alongside radiation. \n\n**Refer ences**\nKhochaiche\, Abass\, et al. "First extensive study of silver-dope d lanthanum manganite nanoparticles for inducing selective chemotherapy an d radio-toxicity enhancement." Materials Science and Engineering: C 123 (2 021): 111970.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions /4275/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4275/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Imaging Breast Microcalcifications Using Dark-Field Signal in Prop agation-Based Phase-Contrast Tomography DTSTART:20211124T013500Z DTEND:20211124T015000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4278@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Benedicta Arhatari (Australian Synchrotron)\, Chris Hall (Australian Synchrotron)\, Harry Quiney\, Anton Maksimenko (Australia n Synchrotron)\, Patrick Brennan\, Sarah Lewis\, Konstantin Pavlov\, David Paganin (School of Physics and Astronomy\, Monash University)\, Darren Lo ckie\, Jane Fox\, Darren Thompson (CSIRO)\, Matthew Dimmock\, Amir Tavakol i\, Beena Kumar\, Andrew Peele (Australian Synchrotron)\, Sherry Mayo (CSI RO)\, TImur Gureyev (the University of Melbourne)\, Zdenka Prodanovic\, Al aleh Amin zadeh\, Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nBreast mic rocalcifications are an important primary radiological indicator of breast cancer. However\, microcalcification classification and diagnosis can be still challenging for radiologists due to limitations of the standard 2D m ammography technique\, including spatial and contrast resolution. In this study\, we propose an approach to improve the detection of microcalcificat ions in propagation-based phase-contrast X-ray tomography (PB-CT) of breas t tissues. Five fresh mastectomies containing microcalcifications were sca nned at the Imaging and Medical beamline of the Australian Synchrotron at different X-ray energies and radiation doses. Both bright-field and dark-f ield images were extracted from the same data sets using different image p rocessing methods [1]. A quantitative analysis was performed in terms of v isibility and contrast-to-noise ratio of microcalcifications. The results show that the visibility of the microcalcifications in the dark-field imag es is more than two times higher compared to the bright-field images. Dark -field images have also provided more accurate information about the size and shape of the microcalcifications [2]. Therefore\, dark-field PB-CT ima ges are likely to help radiologists evaluate the probability of breast can cer more effectively. This work has been conducted in the course of develo ping a medical imaging facility at the Australian Synchrotron for advanced breast cancer imaging.\nReferences:\n[1] T. E. Gureyev\, et al.\, Phys. M ed. Biol. 65\, 215029\, 2020.\n[2] A. Aminzadeh et al.\, submitted.\n\nhtt ps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4278/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4278/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synchrotron infrared characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 virions for a new COVID-19 saliva test DTSTART:20211126T033500Z DTEND:20211126T035000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4277@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Natalia Salazar-Quiroz (Department of Microbiology a nd Immunology\, University of Melbourne)\, Julian Druce (Victorian Infect ious Diseases Reference Laboratory\, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infe ction and Immunity)\, Mike Catton (Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory\, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)\, P hilip Heraud (Centre for Biospectroscopy\, School of Chemistry\, Monash Un iversity)\, Julie McAuley (Department of Microbiology and Immunology\, Un iversity of Melbourne)\, Bayden Wood (Centre for Biospectroscopy\, School of Chemistry\, Monash University)\, Shivani Pasricha (Department of Microb iology and Immunology\, University of Melbourne)\, Deborah A Williamson ( Department of Microbiology\, Royal Melbourne Hospital)\, David Perez-Guai ta (Department of Analytical Chemistry\, University of Valencia)\, Damian Purcell (Department of Microbiology and Immunology\, University of Melbou rne)\, Jason Roberts (Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory\, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)\, Jitraporn (Pim m) Vongsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)\, Anthony K Eden (Centre for Biospe ctroscopy\, School of Chemistry\, Monash University)\, Dale Godfrey (Depar tment of Microbiology and Immunology\, University of Melbourne)\, Diana E . Bedola (Elettra−Sincrotrone Trieste)\, Mark Tobin (ANSTO)\, Aaron Mcle an (Centre for Biospectroscopy\, School of Chemistry\, Monash University)\ , Matthew J Baker (Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry University of Strathclyde)\, Keith Bambery (ANSTO)\, Supti Roy (Centre for Biospectrosc opy\, School of Chemistry\, Monash University)\, Kamila Kochan (Centre for Biospectroscopy\, School of Chemistry\, Monash University)\, Dale Christe nsen (Australian Synchrotron)\, Samantha Grimley (Department of Microbiolo gy and Immunology\, University of Melbourne)\n\nIn response to the COVID- 19 pandemic the Biospectroscopy group within the Monash School of Chemistr y have become part of a research working group headed by Prof. Dale Godfre y and Prof. Damian Purcell at the Doherty Institute to develop a new IR di agnostic for the detection of COVID-19. An infrared-based test would be re agent-less\, able to test hundreds of thousands using the same instrument\ , be highly sensitive and inexpensive\, producing results in minutes. This is cogent especially given the worldwide shortage of conventional testing kits and the long delays in getting results that in the case of virulent variants such as Delta\, are costing lives. The talk will focus on new dev elopments in the arena of point-of-site COVID testing highlighting rapid d iagnostic-based tests and our new infrared based saliva screening test. We have modified a portable infrared spectrometer with purpose-built transfl ection accessory for rapid point-of-care detection of COVID-19 markers in saliva. Initially\, purified virion particles were characterized with Rama n spectroscopy\, synchrotron infrared (IR) and AFM-IR. A data set comprisi ng 171 transflection infrared spectra from 29 patients testing positive fo r SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR and 28 testing negative\, was modeled using Monte Carlo Double Cross Validation with 50 randomized test and model sets. The testing sensitivity was 93 % (27/29) with a specificity of 82 % (23/28) th at included positive samples on the limit of detection for RT-qPCR. This h igh throughput infrared COVID-19 test is rapid\, inexpensive\, portable an d utilizes sample self-collection\, thus minimizing the risk to healthcare workers and is ideally suited to mass or personalised screening in public and private settings.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/cont ributions/4277/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4277/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Automation of liquid crystal phase analysis for SAXS DTSTART:20211126T054000Z DTEND:20211126T055500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4285@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stefan Paporakis (RMIT)\, Andrew Martin (RMIT Univer sity)\, Dilek Yalcin Tuncali (PhD Student)\, Tamar Greaves (RMIT Universit y)\, Jack Binns (RMIT University)\n\nLyotropic liquid crystal phases (LCPs ) are widely studied for diverse applications\, including protein crystall ization and drug delivery. The structure and properties of LCPs vary widel y depending on composition\, temperature and pressure. Therefore\, high-th roughput structural characterisation\, such as small-angle x-ray scatterin g (SAXS)\, is important to cover meaningfully large compositional spaces. Currently there are well established methods for high-throughput LCP synth esis using automated methods\, and for high throughput SAXS data collectio n with synchrotron sources. However\, high-throughput LCP phase analysis f or SAXS data is currently lacking\, particularly for patterns containing m ultiple phases. Using SAXS data\, we have developed a high throughput LCP phase identification procedure. The accuracy and time-saving capabilities of the identification procedure were validated on a total of 668 diffracti on patterns for the amphiphile hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)\, in 53 acidic or basic solvents containing ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) or ethanolammonium nitrate (EtAN). The thermal stability ranges and lattice p arameters for the obtained LCP systems showed equivalent accuracy to manua l analysis. A time comparison demonstrated that the high throughput phase identification procedure was over 20 times faster than manual analysis. We then applied the high throughput identification procedure to 332 diffract ion patterns of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the same EAN and EtAN base d solvents to produce previously unreported phase diagrams that exhibit ph ase transitions between hexagonal\, lamellar\, primitive cubic and diamond cubic LCPs. The accuracy and significant time decrease of the high throug hput identification procedure validates a new\, unrestricted analytical me thod for the description of LCP phase transitions.\n\nhttps://events.synch rotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4285/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4285/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High viscosity injector effects on the phase behaviour of lipidic cubic phase DTSTART:20211126T000500Z DTEND:20211126T002000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4286@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Martin (RMIT University)\, Daniel Wells (La T robe University)\, Peter Berntsen (La Trobe University)\, Brian Abbey (La Trobe University)\, Connie Darmanin (La Trobe University)\, Eugeniu Balaur \n\nIn serial crystallography of membrane protein crystals\, high-viscosit y flow injectors deliver micron-sized crystals to the x-ray beam. The prot ein crystals are often injected embedded in the lipidic cubic phase (LCP) media\, monoolein (MO)\, in which they were grown. The self-assembled stru cture of this media is easily impacted by the performance of the injector\ , e.g. pressure and gas flow surround the sample injection. However\, it i s not yet well understood how the continuous injection impacts the phase o f the monoolein and how this influences the sample stream stability. In th e present work\, we report on observations of the structure of MO/water an d MO/buffer mixtures during continuous flow injection at atmospheric press ure and in vacuum. These observations include x-ray diffraction data taken at the Australian Synchrotron (AS) and the Linac Coherent Light Source (L CLS)\, as well as optical polarisation measurements. We observe the coexis tence of a cubic phase and lamellar phase within the sample stream. The la ttice parameters are stable over typical changes in reservoir pressure tha t occur during injector operation. While the degree to which the lamellar phase is formed is found to depend strongly on the co-flowing gas used to stabilise the lipid stream. We further observe sharp transitions between d iamond cubic and gyroid cubic phases that do not correlate with changes in pressure applied to the reservoir. In vacuum\, we observe the coexistence of the gyroid cubic\, the diamond-cubic and the lamellar phase simultaneo usly. The existence of LCP and lamellar phase at the experimental temperat ure\, 26 degC and pressure ranges within the reservoir is unexpected and w e investigate this observation using optical imaging.\n\nhttps://events.sy nchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4286/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4286/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Stimuli Responsive Switchable Chemical Sensors DTSTART:20211126T044000Z DTEND:20211126T045500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4287@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Katya Bondaruk\, Shannon Thoonen (University of Melb ourne)\, Hui Min Tay\, Carol Hua (University of Melbourne)\n\nThe developm ent of real-time\, highly sensitive chemical sensors for the detection of very low analyte concentrations is of significant interest and importance for monitoring levels of harmful chemicals in the environment. The unique properties of the rare-earth metals enables sharp and narrow luminescent s ignals to be obtained. The incorporation of rare-earth ions into sensor sy stems offers significant advantages for enhancing the sensor response\, al lowing greater discrimination between chemical analytes. \n\nCoordination polymers (CPs) and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materia ls containing inorganic nodes bridged by multidentate ligands. The high po rosity and tunability of CPs enable the systematic modification of pore ch emistry and size. Tailored pore environments can be designed\, making thes e materials well-suited to act as chemical sensors. Rare-earth coordinatio n polymers remain relatively less explored than transition metal coordinat ion polymers due to their higher coordination numbers and unpredictable co ordination environments. Reports of rare-earth coordination polymers conta ining a redox-active ligand are still relatively scarce in the literature despite the potential they present for enhanced chemical sensing and the d evelopment of magnetic and switchable materials.\n\nThis presentation will discuss the synthesis and properties of an isostructural series of rare-e arth coordination polymers containing a redox-active viologen ligand. The viologen moiety is able to undergo a reversible one electron reduction upo n exposure to a light or electrochemical stimulus. The electrochemical\, p hotochromic and sensing ability of the materials will be discussed and the ir potential for application in the development of chemical sensors highli ghted.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4287/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4287/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Self-assembly of surfactants in protic ionic liquids DTSTART:20211126T002000Z DTEND:20211126T003500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4289@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tu Le (RMIT University)\, Margarida Costa Gomes (ENS de Lyon)\, Sachini Kadaoluwa Pathirannahalage (RMIT University)\, Andrew Christofferson (RMIT University)\, Tamar Greaves (RMIT University)\n\nPro tic ionic liquids (PILs) are the largest known solvent class capable of pr omoting surfactant self-assembly. However\, PILs are increasingly used as mixtures with molecular solvents\, such as water\, to reduce their cost\, viscosity and melting point\, and the self-assembly promoting properties o f these mixtures are largely unknown. Here we investigated the critical mi celle concentration (CMC) of ionic and non-ionic amphiphiles in two ionic liquids\, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) and ethanolammonium nitrate (EtAN)\, to gain insight into the role of solvent species\, and effect of solvent ionicity on the self-assembly process. The amphiphiles used were the catio nic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)\, anionic sodium octanoate sulfa te (SOS)\, and the non-ionic surfactant tetraethylene glycol monododecyl e ther (C12E4). Surface tensiometry was used to obtain the CMCs and free ene rgy parameters of micelle formation\, and Small angle x-ray scattering (SA XS) was used to characterise the micelle shape and size. For CTAB\, the tr end in the CMC observed indicated that at low concentrations of the PIL\, the ionic liquids acted as free ions\, decreasing the CMC due to charge sc reening effects. This effect was not observed in C12E4 due to its neutral overall charge. Micelle formation of the anionic amphiphile was found to b e more complex than initially hypothesised in ionic liquids. It was discov ered that EtAN\, the less cationic ionic liquid was able to facilitate sel f-assembly of SOS\, whereas in EAN mixtures micelles could not be confirme d. The findings from this study gives insight into how solvent interaction s are modified from solvents rich in water to rich in a PIL.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4289/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4289/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Deuterated Phospholipids to Study the Structure\, Function and Dyn amics of Membrane Proteins Using Neutron Scattering DTSTART:20211126T003500Z DTEND:20211126T005000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4290@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tamim Darwish (ANSTO)\, Anwen KRAUSE-HEUER (ANSTO)\ , Rao Yepuri (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Mi chael Moir (ANSTO)\n\nContrast matching and contrast variation in neutron scattering provide unparalleled power for understanding the structure\, fu nction\, and dynamics of a selected component in a multicomponent system. A sophisticated contrast study often requires the availability of deuterat ed molecules in which deuterium atoms are introduced in a predictable and controlled fashion to replace protons. This can be achieved by direct deut eration of precursors followed by custom chemical synthesis\, for which ex pertise and capabilities have been developed at facility (NDF)\, ANSTO.\nI t this paper we will discuss recent high impact research output using deut erated phospholipids produced by NDF/ANSTO. We will describe the synthesis and applications of selectively or perdeuterated unsaturated phospholipid s to contrast match out the whole lipid bilayer or nano disks within a mul ticomponent system. Further\, we also describe their role in investigation s related to membrane lipoproteins (ApoE) exchange in relation to lipid un saturation\,[1] effect of membrane composition\,[2] and conformational ana lysis Mg+2 channel by neutron scattering techniques.[2\, 3] \n\nReferences : \n1. Waldie\, S.\, et al.\, Lipoprotein ability to exchange and remove lipids from model membranes as a function of fatty acid saturation and pre sence of cholesterol. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids\, 2020. 1865(10): p. 158769.\n2. Waldie\, S.\, et a l.\, ApoE and ApoE Nascent-Like HDL Particles at Model Cellular Membranes: Effect of Protein Isoform and Membrane Composition. Frontiers in Chemistr y\, 2021. 9(249).\n3. Johansen\, N.T.\, et al.\, Mg2+-dependent conformati onal equilibria in CorA: an integrated view on transport regulation. bioRx iv\, 2021: p. 2021.08.20.457080.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/even t/146/contributions/4290/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4290/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Elucidation of the electronic structure in lanthanoid-radical syst ems by inelastic neutron scattering DTSTART:20211124T053500Z DTEND:20211124T055000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4295@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Colette Boskovic (University of Melbourne)\, Anwen KRAUSE-HEUER (ANSTO)\, Richard Mole (ANSTO)\, Simone Calvello (The Univers ity of Melbourne)\, Alessandro Soncini (University of Melbourne)\, Maja Du nstan (University of Melbourne)\n\nSingle-molecule magnets (SMMs) are meta l organic compounds which exhibit magnetic hysteresis and slow magnetic re laxation at low temperature. They have potential applications in high dens ity data storage\, quantum computing\, and molecular spintronics. Coordina tion complexes of the trivalent lanthanoid (Ln(III)) ions are the current best performing SMMs\, with examples showing hysteresis above liquid nitro gen temperature.[1]\n\nThe magnetic properties of Ln(III) ions stems from the crystal field (CF) splitting of the ground Russel-Saunders state. Thes e CF states give rise to the energy barrier to reversal of magnetisation\, and can be tuned by modification of the ligand environment around the Ln( III) centre. Slow magnetic relaxation in Ln-SMMs can also be modulated by the introduction of magnetic exchange coupling with another magnetic momen t\, such as that of an organic radical ligand.[2] Quantifying the magnitud e of magnetic exchange coupling in many Ln(III) systems is\, however\, dif ficult using conventional magnetometric techniques\, due to the often larg e spin-orbit coupling. \n\nInelastic neutron scattering (INS) is an ideal spectroscopic tool to measure both CF splitting and magnetic exchange coup ling in Ln(III) systems.[3] We have used INS measurements to elucidate the magnetic exchange coupling and CF splitting in Ln(III)-semiquinonate comp lexes. Using this information we have rationalised the magnetic properties of these compounds\, with the hope that a better understanding of the mag netic exchange in these systems can be used to design SMMs with improved p erformance.\n\n[1] Guo et al. Science 2018\, 362 (6421)\, 1400–1403\n[2] Demir et al. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2015\, 289–290\, 149–176\n[3] Dunstan et al. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2019\, 8\, 1090–1105\n\nhttps://events.synch rotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4295/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4295/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating the interactions of monoolein liquid crystals with h uman microbiomes DTSTART:20211126T005000Z DTEND:20211126T010500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4296@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Khay Fong (The University of Newcastle)\, Jonathan C aukwell (The University of Newcastle)\n\nLipid-based liquid-crystals are b iocompatible nanomaterials offering selective and ‘smart’ drug-release properties which are an emerging technology in the research and developme nt pipeline. Over the last decade\, research on these nanomaterials has fo cused on their behaviour in response to physicochemical phenomena and afte r loading with pharmaceutical cargo. Over the next decade\, research aims to address our lack of understanding about how these prospective drug-carr iers are influenced by physiological environments. This study explored mem bers of the human microbiome as a potential candidate. Bacterial species w hich inhabit popular sites of drug administration were mixed with monoolei n cubosomes and bulk cubic phase gels. The effects on liquid crystal struc ture and drug release profile were examined using benchtop and synchrotron SAXS\, cross-polarized light microscopy\, and fluorescence measurements. Particle mixing with bacterial cell membrane components induced a transfo rmation to hexagonal structure\, consistent with the transfer of bacterial phospholipids to the matrix. Similarly\, exposure to the representative s kin bacteria S. aureus induced the transformation to hexagonal structure a fter 8 hours. S. aureus exposure also reduced the rate of hydrophilic dye release from bulk monoolein cubic phase over a similar timeframe. This tra nsformation was consistent with an increase in oleic acid content by lipol ysis of monoolein by lipase. This research demonstrates the influence that bacteria can have on the structure and drug release properties of monoole in liquid-crystalline drug-delivery systems. These findings are hoped to i nform future research throughout the development of these prospective drug -carrier nanomaterials for healthcare applications and commercially viable products.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/42 96/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4296/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Insight into the Variations of ABO4 Structures: Combined Experimen tal and Computational Studies DTSTART:20211126T051000Z DTEND:20211126T052500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4297@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bryce Mullens (University of Sydney)\, Frederick Mar lton (University of Sydney)\, Brendan Kennedy (The University of Sydney)\, Matilde Saura-Múzquiz (University of Sydney)\, Max Avdeev (Australian Nu clear Science and Technology Organisation\, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering)\, Helen Brand (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nThe development of c arbon-neutral energy-generation is critical to combatting climate change. One such technology is the development of next-generation ion conductors f or solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). SOFCs offer a more efficient method of extracting energy from hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels than current combusti on engines due to their one-step chemical process. However\, a bottleneck to the large-scale uptake of SOFCs is the poor performance of the conducti ng electrolytes that separate the anode from the cathode. Various $AB\\tex t{O}_{4}$ structures have recently been proposed as solid electrolyte cand idates in SOFCs\, with increased high-temperature ionic conductivity being measured in chemically doped LaNbO$_{4}$. However\, the various phase tra nsitions of these materials within the operational temperature of SOFCs ma kes them non-ideal.\n\nTo understand the effects of chemical doping on the structure and electrochemical properties\, several complex $AB\\text{O}_{ 4}$ structures have been investigated. In this work\, we present the solid -solution series $Ln$(Nb$_{1-x}$Ta$_{x}$)O$_{4}$ (*Ln* = La-Lu). Using a c ombination of synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction methods\, t hese studies have revealed several anomalies across the series. The struct ures appear to be sensitive to the size of the *Ln* cation and their synth esis conditions\, with a difference in ionic conduction performance being observed. This experimental data has been further reinforced by ground sta te energy calculations performed using density functional theory. This is a landmark accomplishment that has not been previously used in similarly s tudied structures. These insights can be used in the development and engin eering of novel and advanced electrolyte materials for SOFCs.\n\nhttps://e vents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4297/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4297/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:SAXS investigation of protic ionic liquid-water mixtures\, and the ir application to protein crystallisation DTSTART:20211126T042500Z DTEND:20211126T044000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4298@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tamar Greaves (RMIT University)\, Stuart Brown (RMIT )\, Calum Drummond (RMIT University)\, Hank Qi Han (RMIT University)\n\nP rotic ionic liquids (PILs) are cost efficient “designer” solvents whic h can be tailored to have properties suitable for a broad range of applica tions. PILs are also being combined with molecular solvents to enable more control over the solvent environment\, driven by a need to reduce their c ost and viscosity. This also leads to greater biocompatability. \nIn this presentation I will discuss our ongoing work into designing PIL solvents f or proteins\, with a focus on lysozyme as a model protein 1. We have recen tly been using SAXS to explore the effect of PILs on lysozyme from dilute to neat IL concentrations in water. This naturally leads to a discussion o n the difficulties in obtaining SAXS data of proteins in viscous media\, a nd of analysis the data where the solvent is also nanostructured. However\ , despite these challenges\, we are beginning to develop design rules whic h can be used to select ILs for specific applications. \nOne application t hat we are developing PIL solvents for is in protein crystallisation. We h ave used MX1&2 data to solve lysozyme crystal structures with 7 PILs prese nt. Preliminary results will be presented where we have used SAXS to monit or the initial stages of lysozyme crystallisation in PIL-water solutions\, using ethylammonium nitrate as the PIL.\n\n\n\n1. Qi\, H.\; Smith\, K. M. \; Darmanin\, C.\; Ryan\, T. M.\; Drummond\, C. J.\; Greaves\, T. L.\, Lys ozyme conformational changes with ionic liquids: spectroscopic\, small ang le x-ray scattering and crystallographic study. Journal of Colloid and Int erface Science 2021\, 585\, 433-443.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ event/146/contributions/4298/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4298/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Characterisation of Ionic Liquids and Their Ability to Stabilise P roteins DTSTART:20211124T055000Z DTEND:20211124T060500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4300@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Tamar Greaves (RMIT University)\, Stuart Brown (RMIT )\, Hank Qi Han (RMIT University)\n\nProteins are an important part of bio technology and can be utilised for a range of applications and industries 1. But the stability and solubility of the protein is often a limiting fac tor\, so ionic liquids (ILs) have been tested as an alternative solvent du e to their wide scope and tailorable properties. They are reported to incr ease protein activity2\, solubility\, long term and thermal stability. How ever\, the relationship between the structure of an IL and how it interact s with proteins in solution is unknown. \nIn this study 52 ammonium based ILs and 14 common salts were prepared with HEWL and human lysozyme. Physic ochemical\, and thermal properties of the neat ILs were characterised\, wh ile SAXS was used to characterise protein stability. High concentrations o f IL (>50 mol%) were often not conducive with the native structure of the protein\, while lower concentrations (1-10 mol%) can support native protei n structures with minimal to no aggregation. It was also found that additi onal alkyl chains on the cation\, and the presence of hydroxyl groups redu ced lysozyme’s radius of gyration\, preserving its native structure.\n\n 1. Egorova\, K. S.\; Gordeev\, E. G.\; Ananikov\, V. P.\, Biological Activ ity of Ionic Liquids and Their Application in Pharmaceutics and Medicine. Chemical Reviews 2017\, 117 (10)\, 7132-7189.\n2. Mann\, J. P.\; McCluskey \, A.\; Atkin\, R.\, Activity and thermal stability of lysozyme in alkylam monium formate ionic liquids—influence of cation modification. Green Che mistry 2009\, 11 (6)\, 785-792.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event /146/contributions/4300/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4300/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Cuatros Amigos- the four stromatolites in a row. The first 3D imag e of the oldest evidence of life in the geologic record DTSTART:20211124T052000Z DTEND:20211124T053500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4302@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Martin J Van Kranendonk (University of New South Wa les)\, Michael Rowe (The University of Auckland)\, Kathleen A Campbell (Th e University of Auckland)\, Michaela J Dobson (The University of Auckland\ , ANSTO)\, Ulf Garbe (ANSTO)\n\nThe 3.48 Ga Dresser Formation\, Pilbara Cr aton\, Western Australia provides the Earth’s most convincing evidence o f early life through a diverse array of biosignatures. However\, identifyi ng biosignatures in Archean rocks is difficult due to billions of years of erosion\, deformation\, and metamorphic alteration. Characterisation of c ommunity-accepted biosignatures also remains challenging\, particularly th e robustness of textural biosignatures as indicators of early life in Arch ean rocks. The textural biosignatures identified in the Dresser Formation are identified in surface outcrops that are weathered. Therefore\, in May 2019\, fresh Dresser deposits were drilled to aid in a better understandi ng of these ancient biosignatures and to provide validity to a biogenic or igin.\n\nThree well-preserved cores of 5-30 m thickness and 8 cm in diamet er were extracted from ~70 m beneath the land surface. The cores provide e xcellent preservation of biosignatures\, including the preservation of fos silized\, pyritized\, stromatolites. One stromatolite horizon within the c ore exhibits extraordinary morphological structures. Here we present preli minary results of the 3D geometry of these fossil stromatolites. 3D struct ures were obtained using the neutron imaging station DINGO at ANSTO. A ful l tomography of a first sample has been scanned with 1896 projection with an angular step of 0.19° and an exposure time of 60 seconds per projectio n. The data was reconstructed using filtered backprojection technique with Pydingo (a free in-house developed python toolbox). 3D-rendering was done with VG-Studio. This horizon aids in better defining the biogenicity of t hese textural biosignatures.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/14 6/contributions/4302/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4302/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Pressure-dependent changes in Zr coordination in silicate liquid: in vs. ex situ measurements DTSTART:20211124T055000Z DTEND:20211124T060500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4301@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Guilherme Mallmann (Australian National University) \, Jeremy Wykes (Australian Synchrotron)\, Tracy Rushmer (Macquarie Univer sity)\, Nicholas Farmer (Macquarie University)\n\nChanges in the coordinat ion of elements in silicate melts as a function of pressure impact their g eochemical behaviour and are key to understanding processes such as planet ary differentiation. Questions persist as to the extent to which the coord ination environment of elements in silicate melts at high pressure and tem perature can be preserved in glasses recovered to ambient conditions.\n\nT he only method to unambiguously measure the coordination environment of tr ace elements in a silicate liquid at high pressure is via *in situ* measur ements such as x-ray absorption spectroscopy\, preferably in large volume apparatus that can simulate the environment of the upper mantle such as th e Macquarie D-DIA apparatus. These measurements are difficult and only pos sible at a handful of facilities worldwide\, so most experimental data are derived from *ex situ* measurements of recovered glasses.\n\nWe made Zr K -edge XANES measurements *in situ* at conditions simulating the mantle\, s howing a pressure-dependent change consistent with an earlier *ex situ* st udy on samples recovered from piston-cylinder experiments in which glasses were annealed close to their glass transition temperature (Burnham et al. 2019). We plan further XAS experiments measuring samples recovered from o ur *in situ* experiments to determine the differences between quenched gla sses\, annealed glasses\, and *in situ* measurements.\n\nWe propose that c hanges in Zr XANES correspond to an increase in the coordination number of Zr with pressure. This could explain previously observed changes in Zr so lubility at high pressure not predicted by current models\, and changes in Zr olivine/melt partition coefficients at mantle pressures.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4301/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4301/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The structure and spectroscopy of solid propanal: A potential mine ral for planetary astrobiology DTSTART:20211124T045000Z DTEND:20211124T050500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4305@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Helen Maynard-Casely (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Courtney Ennis (University of Otago)\n\nAldehy des are considered an important species toward astrobiology\, acting as a primary reagent for the Strecker synthesis of amino acids in aqueous media . However\, within the cold\, icy surfaces of planetary bodies and interst ellar dust particles\, chemical reactions that lead to these biological-bu ilding blocks can still unfold. Here\, "non-thermal equilibrium" chemistry is driven by harsh radiation environments\, which produce populations of radicals and charged species in the icy matrix. It is these short-lived in termediates that then on-react with ammonia and cyanides to form of higher -order organics.\n\nFor the possible detection of proteinogenic amino acid s in space environments it is important to first locate their more abundan t amino acid precursors. However\, only formaldehyde and acetaldehyde has been observed by telescope and spacecraft reconnaissance to date. The sear ch for other simple aldehydes has been hampered by a general lack of funda mental data including crystal structure and spectroscopic signatures.\n\nI n a combined neutron scattering (ANSTO Wombat Instrument) and x-ray diffra ction study\, we have determined the crystal structure of propanal (CH3CH2 CHO)-under planetary ice surface conditions-for the first time. This new s tructure allowed for the DFT simulation of its vibrational frequencies\, w hich was then applied to assign its far-infrared spectrum collected at the Australian Synchrotron THz Beamline. This critical structural and spectro scopic data will enable the search for this species during future surveys and spacecraft exploration of distant icy worlds in our quest to uncover t he molecular origins-of-life.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/1 46/contributions/4305/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4305/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:From deep time to the present: An exploration of Aboriginal connec tions to South Australia’s Riverland region DTSTART:20211124T043000Z DTEND:20211124T045000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4304@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Amy Roberts (Flinders University)\n\nThis keynote ad dress will explore a range of cultural heritage projects relating to colla borations between ANSTO\, Flinders University and the River Murray and Mal lee Aboriginal Corporation. From rare artefacts to earthen cooking mounds and ancient shell middens this presentation considers the contribution of radiocarbon dating within a broader research program that has investigated Aboriginal connections to Country from deep time to the present in South Australia’s Riverland region.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event /146/contributions/4304/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4304/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High-resolution high throughput thermal neutron tomographic imagin g of fossiliferous cave breccias from Sumatra DTSTART:20211124T053500Z DTEND:20211124T055000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4303@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jahdi Zaim (Institut Teknologi Bandung)\, Julien Lou ys (Griffith University)\, Joseph Bevitt (ANSTO)\, Holly Ellen Smith (Grif fith University)\, Yan Rizal (Institut Teknologi Bandung)\, Aswan Aswan (I nstitut Teknologi Bandung)\, Agus Trihascaryo (Institut Teknologi Bandung) \, Gregory Webb (University of Queensland)\, Mika Rizki Puspaningrum (Inst itut Teknologi Bandung)\, Gilbert Price (University of Queensland)\n\nWe e mploy high-throughput thermal-neutron tomographic imaging to visualise int ernal diagnostic features of dense fossiliferous breccia from three Pleist ocene cave localities in Sumatra\, Indonesia. We demonstrate that these se emingly homogeneous breccias are an excellent source of data to aid in det ermining taphonomic and depositional histories of complex depositional sit es such as tropical caves. X-ray Computed Tomographic (CT) imaging is gain ing importance amongst palaeontologists as a non-destructive approach to s tudying fossil remains. Traditional methods of fossil preparation risk dam age to the specimen and may destroy contextual evidence in the surrounding matrix. CT imaging can reveal the internal composition and structure of f ossils contained within consolidated sediment/rock matrices prior to any d estructive mechanical or chemical preparation. Neutron tomography (NT) pro vides an alternative contrast to X-rays\, and in some circumstances\, is c apable of discerning denser matrices impenetrable to or yielding no contra st with CT imaging. High throughput neutron imaging reduces neutron fluenc e during scanning which means there is less residual neutron-induced radio activation in geological samples\; allowing for earlier subsequent analyse s. However\, this approach remains unutilised in palaeontology\, archaeolo gy or geological surveys. Results suggest that the primary agents in the f ormation of the breccias and concentration of incorporated vertebrate rema ins are several rapid depositional phases of water and sediment gravity fl ow. This study highlights the potential for future analyses of breccia dep osits in palaeontological studies in caves around the world.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4303/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4303/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Pioneer plant driven primary mineral weathering and secondary mine ral formation in Fe ore tailings DTSTART:20211124T050500Z DTEND:20211124T052000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4308@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Longbin Huang (The University of Queensland)\, Songl in Wu (The University of Queensland)\, Qing Yi (The University of Queensla nd)\, Yunjia Liu (The University of Queensland)\n\nEco-engineering tailing s into soil-like substrates is an emerging technology to rehabilitate the tailings landscapes. Pioneer plants play an important role in mineral weat hering and secondary mineral formation\, which are pre-requisites for aggr egate formation and pedogenesis in the tailings. The present study aimed t o characterise the direct role of pioneer plant roots in tailing mineral w eathering and secondary mineral formation in a compartmented cultivation s ystem [1]. It was found that root activities accelerated the weathering of Fe bearing primary minerals (e.g.\, biotite) via Fe(II) oxidation coupled with Fe(III) and Si dissolution. Numerous nanosized Fe-Si rich amorphous minerals and vermiculite were neo-formed in the tailings subject to rhizos phere activities\, as revealed by various micro-spectroscopic analysis. Th e Fe-Si rich secondary amorphous minerals may have resulted from co-precip itation of dissolved Fe(III) and Si on mineral surfaces under alkaline and circumneutral pH conditions. The roots of Gramineae plant Sorghum spp. de veloped most extensively in the tailings\, leading to more efficient miner al weathering and secondary mineral formation than Halophyte plant Atriple x amnicola and Leguminous plant Acacia chisholmii. Overall\, the study has unravelled the pioneer plant role in tailing mineral (biotite dominant) w eathering and secondary Fe-Si mineral formation. These findings also indic ate that tolerant pioneer plants may act as integral components in designi ng the eco-engineering processes for soil formation in Fe ore tailings.\nR eferences:\n[1] Wu\, S.\, Liu\, Y.\, ... & Huang\, L. (2021). Rhizosphere Drives Biotite-Like Mineral Weathering and Secondary Fe–Si Mineral Forma tion in Fe Ore Tailings. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry\, 5(3)\, 618-631.\n \nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4308/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4308/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Small Angle Neutron Scattering Capability at ANSTO DTSTART:20211124T234500Z DTEND:20211125T000000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4309@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Liliana de Campo (ANSTO)\, Elliot Gilbert (ANSTO)\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)\, Andrew Whitten (ANSTO)\, Chun-Ming Wu (NSRRC)\, Ka thleen Wood (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Rob ert Knott (ANSTO)\, Anna Sokolova (Dr)\n\nThe ANSTO Lucas Heights campus i s home to three world-class small angle neutron scattering (SANS) instrume nts: Bilby\, a time-of-flight SANS instrument [1]\, Kookaburra\, an Ultra- Small Angle Neutron scattering instrument [2] and Quokka\, a monochromatic SANS instrument [3]. Together they cover the structure of materials from 1 nm to > 20 microns. As well as recent scientific highlights\, we here outline the updates from the group since the last ANSTO user meeting\, not ably:\n- The replacement of our lab-based small angle X-ray instrument wit h a state-of-the-art instrument along with a range of dedicated sample env ironments\, currently being procured and due for installation early 2022.\ n- The new rheometer for in-situ measurements on the three neutron instrum ents.\n- Our recently developed GiSANS setup\, funded by the National Sync hrotron Radiation Research Center.\n\n\n\n\n[1] A. Sokolova\, A. E. Whitte n\, L. de Campo\, J. Christoforidis\, A. Eltobaji\, J. Barnes\, F. Darmann and A. Berry\, Performance and characteristics of the BILBY time-of-fligh t small-angle neutron scattering instrument\, J Appl Crystallogr\, 2019\, 52\, 1-12.\n[2] Rehm\, C.\; Campo\, L. d.\; Brûlé\, A.\; Darmann\, F.\; Bartsch\, F.\; Berry\, A.\, Design and performance of the variable-wavelen gth Bonse–Hart ultra-small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer KOOKA BURRA at ANSTO. J Appl Crystallogr\, 2018\, 51 (1)\, 1-8.\n[3] K. Wood\, J . P. Mata\, C. J. Garvey\, C. M. Wu\, W. A. Hamilton\, P. Abbeywick\,[..] and E. P. Gilbert\, QUOKKA\, the pinhole small-angle neutron scattering in strument at the OPAL Research Reactor\, Australia: design\, performance\, operation and scientific highlights\, J Appl Crystallogr\, 2018\, 51\, 29 4-314.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4309/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4309/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:New developments in neutron imaging at DINGO DTSTART:20211125T000000Z DTEND:20211125T001500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4312@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ulf Garbe (ANSTO)\, Filomena Salvemini (ANSTO)\, Jos eph Bevitt (ANSTO)\n\nThe neutron radiography / tomography / imaging instr ument DINGO is operational since October 2014 to support research at ANSTO . DINGO provides a useful tool to give a different insight into objects. A major part of applications from research and industrial users was demandi ng high resolution setup and fast scans on DINGO. The neutron beam size ca n be adjusted to the sample size from 25 x 25 mm 2 to 200 x 200 mm 2 w ith a resulting pixel size from 12µm to ~100µm. Depending on the sample composition a full tomography has been taken in 10 minute – 36 hours. Du ring the recent OPAL long shutdown\, a new sapphire filter has been instal led to reduce the amount of epithermal and fast neutrons at the sample pos ition. These high energy neutrons do not contribute to the image\, only as noise\, and increasing the radiation levels around the CMOS camera. This update will improve the image quality as well as the reliability of the wh ole instrument. \nIn addition\, we implement a new type of neutron tomogra phy scan to address long samples like in drill cores. These samples can no w be scanned horizontal up two 1.2 meter in length. For small core sizes w e can run up to three cores in one scan\, which makes DINGO a very competi tive instrument for fast high throughput imaging.\nA new software package for 3D reconstruction has been developed as well. It is an open source pac kage based on the python toolbox “tomopy” with a GUI custom made for D INGO to enable users to run the reconstruction on their own computing envi ronment.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4312 / LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4312/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:BioSAXS: The future of solution scattering at the Australian Synch rotron DTSTART:20211125T003000Z DTEND:20211125T004500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4316@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Clulow (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron)\, Navid Hamedi (ANSTO Australian Synchrotorn )\, Sudharshan Venkatesan (ANSTO Aus tralian Synchrotron )\, Lester Barnsley (ANSTO)\, Gonzalo Conesa - Zamora (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron )\, Brian Jensen (ANSTO Australian Synchrotr on)\, Clinton Roy (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron)\, Vesna Samardzic-Boban (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron )\, Christina Kamma-Lorger (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron)\n\nBioSAXS is one of the new beamlines to be constructed at the Australian Synchrotron within the BRIGHT program. The beamline is curr ently under construction and it is scheduled to phase into user operations in mid-late 2022. BioSAXS will be a high-flux (~5 x 1014 ph/sec) small an gle X-ray scattering beamline dedicated to all sorts of solution scatterin g including dispersions\, gels and soft matter\, covering a variety of dis ciplines from biology to chemistry and material sciences. The high flux of the beamline will provide enhanced data quality and kinetic resolution\, allowing for time-resolved studies on the millisecond timescale\, as well as the measurement of weak scatterers and low concentrations that wouldn ’t otherwise be possible to measure. The in-vacuum detector system at th e end station will provide quick and highly automated camera changes\, a q range of ~0.0015 – 3 Å-1 and low background in collected data. The CoF low\, a pioneering development of the Australian Synchrotron\, will be the primary autoloading device for high throughput experiments. Other sample environment options will include a stopped-flow and rheometer\, temperatur e-controlled capillary stages\, a shear cell as well as a versatile magnet ic-array system\, optimized for experiments on magnetic nanoparticles used in biomedical applications. The beamline’s sample platform will also ac commodate the installation of user equipment. The objective of this presen tation is to demonstrate BioSAXS’ final design and capabilities that wil l allow it to develop into a highly-automated and versatile beamline that can accommodate a wide-range of solution scattering experiments\, compleme nting the existing SAXS/WAXS beamline to ensure the world-leading capabili ties of the SAXS offering at the Australian Synchrotron.\n\nhttps://events .synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4316/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4316/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:ACNS SAMPLE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE DTSTART:20211125T004500Z DTEND:20211125T010000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4317@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gene Davidson (ANSTO)\, Rachel White (ANSTO)\, Amy S humack (ANSTO)\, Timothy D'Adam (ACNS\, ANSTO)\, Chris Baldwin (ANSTO)\, N orman Booth (ANSTO)\n\nSince the last ANSTO User Meeting the sample enviro nment group at ACNS has supported our facility users with a range of uniqu e developments and set ups. We have had a change in structure with the lab oratory group forming and working alongside us. We will report on the prog ress on our ongoing projects on Direct Laser Melting (DLM) deposition syst em co-funded by a NSW RAAP grant. Also underway are LIEF grants with equip ment for use at ACNS\, one includes a rheometer for use on ACNS beam instr uments. \nThis presentation will also cover our new equipment projects fun ded by the NCRIS RIIP scheme. This includes new cryofurnaces\, a new type of furnace\, a universal testing machine and other equipment. This funding will maintain and improve our existing capabilities and increase the redu ndancy across the SE suite to better service competing requests.\n\nhttps: //events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4317/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4317/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Quantifying the x-ray dark-field signal in single-grid imaging DTSTART:20211124T005000Z DTEND:20211124T010500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4319@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kaye Morgan (Monash University)\, Ying Ying How\n\nX -ray imaging has progressed in recent decades to capture not only a conven tional attenuation image\, but also a ‘phase-contrast’ image that visu alises those features that are difficult to see with attenuation. More re cently\, techniques have been developed to capture a ‘dark-field’ sign al. The dark-field signal is generated by ultra-small-angle x-ray scatteri ng from unresolved sample features\, such as bubbles\, powders or fibres\, providing information about sample microstructure that is inaccessible us ing full-field conventional or phase-contrast x-ray imaging. Dark-field im aging can be useful in a range of fields\, including medical diagnosis\, m aterials science and airport screening. \n\nSingle-grid imaging is an emer ging x-ray imaging technique that only requires one optical element – a grid or\, in the speckle-based variant\, a piece of sandpaper. The grid or sandpaper generate a reference pattern that is warped and blurred when th e sample is introduced\, revealing phase and dark-field respectively. This technique is suitable for dynamic imaging since the three complementary i mage signals can be extracted from single sample exposure\, unlike previou s methods. Until now\, this technique has primarily been applied in phase- contrast imaging.\n\nIn this work\, we derive a method to extract and quan tify a dark-field signal from single-grid imaging\, relating the signal to the number of sample microstructures. We also apply our method of analysi s to images captured at the Australian Synchrotron’s Imaging and Medical Beamline to evaluate how our measurements align with theoretical predicti ons. Future directions include investigating how the sample microstructure size affects the dark-field signal strength.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotro n.org.au/event/146/contributions/4319/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4319/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Precision Measurement of the Complex Fine Structure at the Austral ian Synchrotron DTSTART:20211124T030000Z DTEND:20211124T031500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4321@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Minh Dao (La Trobe University)\, Martin de Jonge\, C ameron Kewish (Australian Synchrotron)\, Chanh Tran (LIMS\, School of Mole cular Sciences\, La Trobe University)\, Paul Di Pasquale (La Trobe Univers ity)\, David Paterson (Australian Synchrotron)\, Christopher Thomas Chantl er (University of Melbourne)\, Tony Kirk (La Trobe University)\, Nigel Kir by (Australian Synchrotron)\, Stephen Mudie (ANSTO)\, Julian Ceddia (Monas h University)\n\nCurrent applications of X-ray Absorption Fine Structure ( XAFS) to low absorbing samples such as ultra-thin films in semiconductor a nd nano-devices have been limited. This is expected to not be the case for the phase component of the fine structure as it is generally orders of ma gnitude larger than the absorption component in the x-ray regime. Here\, w e present details of precision measurements of both the phase and absorpti on components of the atomic fine structure across the K-edge of thin coppe r and iron foils. The experiments applied Fourier Transform Holography wit h an extended reference in spectroscopy mode and were conducted at the XFM and the SAXS/WAXS beamlines of the Australian Synchrotron. The results pr ovide critical experimental benchmark for further theoretical development and has potential to delve into the phase equivalent of XAFS related techn iques.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4321/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4321/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The recent progress of polarized neutron scattering techniques at SIKA DTSTART:20211126T023000Z DTEND:20211126T024500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4320@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chun-Ming Wu (NSRRC)\, Guochu Deng (Australian Nucle ar Science and Technology Organization)\, Nicolas de Souza (ANSTO - Austra lian Centre for Neutron Scattering)\, Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\, Hanz Peng (NS RRC)\, Shinichiro Yano (NSRRC)\, Andrew Manning (ANSTO)\n\nSIKA\, the cold -neutron triple-axis spectrometer is on the CG4 beam port at the OPAL reac tor\, ACNS\, ANSTO. We have reported the capabilities and status of SIKA i n the last several user's meetings. \n In this meeting\, we discuss the re cent development of polarized neutron scattering experiments on SIKA. A 3H e polarization analysis system is available for SIKA. We have performed se veral user experiments and commissioning experiments in the last two years . We would like to present some results by introducing the techniques we a re trying to implement. In addition\, we discuss our plan for the polarize d neutron scattering experiment on the SIKA.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron .org.au/event/146/contributions/4320/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4320/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:refnx - The Next Generation of Reflectometry Analysis Software DTSTART:20211124T033000Z DTEND:20211124T034500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4323@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Isaac Gresham (The University of New South Wales)\, Andrew Nelson (ANSTO)\, Stuart Prescott (UNSW Chemical Engineering)\n\nref nx [1] is a next generation reflectometry analysis package\, building on i ts predecessor\, Motofit. It has undergone a large amount of collaborative development over the last five years\, introducing innovative features th at greatly aid the national and international neutron and X-ray reflectome try community:\n\n - a Bayesian statistics core with comprehensive uncert ainty analyses and model selection ("how many layers can the data justify" ).\n - quantitative introduction of prior information into the modelling system (information known from other sources)\n - modular construction of structural models\, ranging from a basic Slab up to freeform SLD profiles and Lipid membrane leaflets. These components are easily extensible.\n - co-refinement of multiple contrast datasets.\n - mixed Area models.\n - Python based with analyses performed in Jupyter notebooks or a Qt GUI.\n\ nHere we give a brief introduction to how these aspects advance the reflec tometry technique. In addition\, refnx is designed to enable reproducible research. We also discuss what reproducible research means in the context of a neutron scattering study\, outlining how this is achieved with refnx\ , and how these practices could (should) be taken up by neutron scatterers in general.\n\n[1] Nelson\, Andrew RJ\, and Stuart W. Prescott. "refnx: n eutron and X-ray reflectometry analysis in Python." Journal of applied cry stallography 52.1 (2019): 193-200.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ev ent/146/contributions/4323/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4323/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Hot Commissioning and First User Experiments on the Spatz Neutron Reflectometer DTSTART:20211126T010500Z DTEND:20211126T012000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4331@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Nelson (ANSTO)\, Stephen Holt (Australian Nuc lear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Anton Le Brun (ANSTO)\, Tzu-Ye n Huang\, Stewart Pullen (ANSTO)\n\nThe Spatz neutron beam instrument is t he latest to be installed and commissioned in the Neutron Guide Hall at th e 20 MW OPAL Research Reactor. Spatz is a time-of-flight neutron reflectom eter used for studying nanoscale structures at surfaces and interfaces and utilises a vertical sample geometry / horizontal scattering geometry. The instrument is situated at the end position of the CG2B neutron guide and views the cold-neutron source (CNS). The disc chopper cascade that pulses the neutron beam to produce the time-of-flight is very configurable to pro vide a wavelength resolution between 1 to 12 %. The detector is a helium-3 two-dimensional detector that is capable of measuring both specular and o ff-specular reflectivity. The sample stage can support a range of differen t sample environments including multiple solid-liquid cells\, an atmospher ic chamber with temperature control\, the ATR-FT-IR spectrometer for simul taneous infra-red spectroscopy and neutron reflectometry measurements\, el ectrochemical cells\, etc. The geometry of the instrument and the sample e nvironment available means that Spatz is well suited to studying phenomena at the gas-solid interface and solid-liquid interface. The Spatz instrume nt has been fully commissioned with neutrons and the results of the commis sioning are presented. This includes measurements using the ‘Bragg mirro r’ consisting of 25 bilayers of nickel and titanium\, different solid su bstrates of silicon\, quartz and sapphire\, spin-coated polymer samples\, and films under liquid. Reflectivity down to 10-7 can be achieved within 1 hour measuring time with good counting statistics in most cases. Early us er experiments cover a range of science including investigating the therma l stability of organic solar cell materials and proteins interacting with biomimetic phospholipid cell membranes.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org. au/event/146/contributions/4331/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4331/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Thermal evolution in metals as revealed by in-situ neutron diffrac tion DTSTART:20211126T044000Z DTEND:20211126T045500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4333@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Klaus-Dieter Liss (GTIIT)\n\nThe thermal evolution i n metals plays an utmost important role in thermo-mechanical processing. L attice expansion not only reveals conventional thermal expansion but moreo ver gives insight to order parameters\, change of chemical composition and pressure. Peak widths reveal microstructural changes\, as well as texture evolution\, while primary extinction can be used to study defect mechanis ms. Quantifying anisotropic and phase related expansion mismatch allows to design alloys with better mechanical properties. Here I give an overview with selected examples on bulk zirconium alloys\, aluminium alloys. Focu s will be given on materials after severe plastic deformation\, in which d ifferent states of thermal stress relaxation\, microstructural recovery an d recrystallization can be distinguished.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.or g.au/event/146/contributions/4333/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4333/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Microstructure and residual stress interactions in metal additive manufacturing: post-build assessment and new in-situ methods DTSTART:20211126T055500Z DTEND:20211126T061000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4332@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anna Paradowska (ANSTO)\, Halsey Ostergaard (Univers ity of Sydney)\n\nLayer-wise addition of metal to directly form components or add coatings via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) or laser directed ener gy deposition (DED) can generate very high levels of residual stress which affect component durability if not adequately addressed. These techniques also result in novel\, non-equilibrium microstructures\, sometimes with d esirable features\, that interact with traditional residual stress relief and microstructure manipulation heat treatments. \n\nIn LPBF nickel supera lloy 718\, neutron diffraction was used to demonstrate that a complex resi dual stress state can persist through a non-recrystallising heat treatment at 960 ºC plus subsequent ageing. The same treatment has been previously shown to relieve residual stresses and promote grain growth in convention ally manufactured material. This discrepancy is attributed to the presence of nano-scale intercellular precipitates and a large concentration of exi sting dislocations\, both consequences of the LPBF process\, which act to impede recrystallisation and creep processes. The residual stress state is shown to influence the long-crack fatigue threshold at low stress ratios. Higher temperature annealing successfully relieved residual stresses but resulted in recrystallisation and grain growth which reduced the yield str ess. \n\nTo further explore residual stress and phase evolution during add itive manufacturing\, an in-beamline laser DED capability is being develop ed at ANSTO for both neutron and synchrotron use.\n\nhttps://events.synchr otron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4332/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4332/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Application of Inelastic Neutron Scattering for Thermoelectric Mat erials Study DTSTART:20211125T003500Z DTEND:20211125T005000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4246@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dehong Yu (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\n\nResearch on thermoelectric (TE) materials have been an a ctive field for the past decade as TE material can potentially be used in many niche areas such as to power space probe and convert waste-heat into electricity. Continuing developments are undergoing in the search for adva nced TE materials that could play significant role in sustainable technolo gy. One of the strategies in improving the performance of a thermoelectric material is to decrease the thermal conductivity\, which is directly rela ted to the lattice dynamics of the materials. Measurement of phonon densit y of states and phonon dispersion as a function of temperature can provide deep insight of the thermal conductivity in terms of\, for example\, anha rmonic vibrations and low energy rattling modes. PELICAN\, a time of fight neutron spectrometer at ACNS\, has been actively used for such kind of st udies. In this presentation\, I will give a brief introduction and the cur rent status of TE material research\, followed by the link to material lat tice dynamics and explore how inelastic neutron scattering can help in fun damental understanding of the thermoelectric properties with a couple of s tudy cases.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4 246/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4246/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Origin of vertical slab orientation in blade-coated layered hybrid perovskite films revealed with in-situ synchrotron X-ray scattering DTSTART:20211125T005000Z DTEND:20211125T010500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4247@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris McNeill (Monash University)\, Wen Liang Tan (M onash University Australia)\, Yi-bing Cheng (State Key Laboratory of Advan ced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing\, Wuhan University o f Technology)\, Nigel Kirby (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nControlling the ve rtical orientation of perovskite slabs in layered hybrid perovskite films is key for enabling further optimization of photovoltaic device performanc e. However\, the mechanism explaining vertical orientation control in such films remains under debate. Here\, we present an in-situ grazing-incidenc e wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) study on the formation of BA2MAn-1P bnI3n+1 perovskite films during blade-coating where BA\, MA and n denote b utylammonium\, methylammonium and thickness of perovskite slabs. The evolu tion of grazing-incidence transmission wide-angle X-ray scattering (GTWAXS ) signal is also monitored to reveal the specific vertically-oriented low- n phases formed in such films. We find that the blade-coating temperature greatly influences the crystallization dynamics of BA2MAn-1PbnI3n+1 perovs kite films and perovskite slab orientation via intermediate phase and low- n phase formation. For the perovskite film with targeted dimensionality of n = 4\, blade-coating films at higher temperatures suppresses the formati on of the 2MAI∙3PbI2∙2DMF intermediate phase. This in turn suppresses the formation of the n = 2 phase that adopts an undesired horizontal perov skite slab orientation\, instead favouring the formation of the n = 3 phas e that adopts the desired vertical perovskite slab orientation. Further an alysis on the microstructural evolution of films with near-perfect vertica l orientation reveals that the formation mechanism proceeds through severa l stages: (i) sol-gel\, (ii) weakly-texture 3D-like perovskite\, (iii) n = 3 phase\, and finally\, (iv) crystallite reorientation into the near-perf ect texture. The findings from this in-situ simultaneous GIWAXS and GTWAXS study provide improved understanding of the film formation mechanism for layered hybrid perovskite films with near-perfect vertical orientation.\n\ nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4247/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4247/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Elucidating the Structures and Behaviour of Therapeutic Delivery P latforms with Non-interfering Techniques DTSTART:20211124T043000Z DTEND:20211124T045000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4390@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anton Blencowe (University of South Australia)\n\nPr eamble: Anton is the Leader of the Applied Chemistry and Translational Bi omaterials Group. His research focuses on the development of innovative ch emistries\, delivery systems and biotechnologies to address challenges in the biomedical\, mining\, and environmental sectors. \nAbstract: Self-asse mbled polymeric delivery platforms based on colloidal aggregates have prom ise for the delivery of therapeutics and cells\, and their morphology in s olution strongly influences their behaviour in a biological context (e.g.\ , cellular uptake). In turn\, the composition and microstructure of the in dividual polymers play a defining role in their self-assembly and the morp hology of the resulting colloidal aggregates. Observing the behaviour and precise morphology of these systems in solution using non-interfering tech niques allows them to be studied in their native state. In this presentati on\, Anton will discuss the application of diffusion nuclear magnetic reso nance spectroscopy and Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering for the el ucidation of colloidal aggregate structure and morphology.\n\nhttps://even ts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4390/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4390/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Magnetic Ordering in Superconducting Sandwiches DTSTART:20211124T050500Z DTEND:20211124T052000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4339@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: M. Cather Simpson (The University of Auckland)\, Nad ine van der Heijden (The University of Auckland)\, Kirrily Rule (Australia n Centre for Neutron Scattering)\, Christian Bernhard (University of Fribo urg)\, Wai-Tung (Hal) Lee (ANSTO)\, Grace Causer (Technical University of Munich)\, Andrew Chan (The University of Auckland)\, Tilo Soehnel (The Uni versity of Auckland)\, Ben Mallett (University of Auckland)\n\nOur cuprate -manganite ‘superconducting sandwich’ multilayers exhibit a highly unu sual magnetic-field induced insulating-to-superconducting transition (IST) \, contrary to the commonly held understanding that magnetic fields are de trimental to superconductivity [1\, 2]. This new behaviour is a result of the specific magnetic and electronic properties of the manganite coupling with the high-Tc cuprate (YBa2Cu3O7-δ\, YBCO). Due to the specific mangan ite composition\, Nd0.65(Ca0.7Sr0.3)0.35MnO3 (NCSMO)\, we hypothesize the behaviour to originate from CE-type antiferromagnetic ordering as well as charge and orbital ordering [3]. \n\nThe magnetic data presented here will focus on polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) and elastic neutron scatte ring on a YBCO-NCSMO trilayer and superlattice. The model that best descri bed the PNR data for the trilayer had antiparallel moments at the YBCO-NCS MO interfaces. In the superlattice\, the direction of moments at NCSMO int erfaces were found to alternate with film depth whose long-ranged ordering was broken below 35 K in a 1 T applied field. The stability of the AFM or der in the superlattice was further supported by a robustness of magnetic in-plane half-order elastic scattering peaks at 9 T. This evidences the in terplay of magnetism and superconductivity that play a role in realizing t he IST effect in our superconducting sandwiches.\n\nREFERENCES\n[1] B. Mal lett et al. Phys. Rev. B. 94\, 180503(R) (2016) \n[2] E. Perret et al. Com ms. Phys. 45\, 1-10 (2018) \n[3] Y. Tokura. Rep. Prog. Phys. 69\, 797-851 (2006).\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4339/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4339/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Wavefield Characterisation of MHz XFEL Pulse Trains DTSTART:20211125T025000Z DTEND:20211125T030500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4340@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Adrian Mancuso (European XFEL)\, David Paganin (Scho ol of Physics and Astronomy\, Monash University)\, Brian Abbey (La Trobe U niversity)\, Trey Guest (La Trobe University\, European XFEL)\, Richard Be an (European XFEL)\, Grant van Riessen (La Trobe University)\n\nX-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) light sources present new opportunities in the imag ing of single particles and biomolecules. The interpretation and analysis of XFEL imaging data depends critically on a fundamental understanding of the characteristics of the inherently stochastic XFEL pulses delivered to the instrument. Exploiting the unique MHz repetition rate of the European XFEL to image single particles requires an improved understanding of both the inter- and intra-train fluctuations in pulse structure and beam pointi ng\, which are frequently implicated in the loss of information in XFEL si ngle particle imaging (SPI) and other classes of coherent diffraction expe riment. Failure to account for fluctuations of the electron bunch phase-sp ace and/or trajectory within a pulse train can result in deviations of the recorded wavefront and intensity statistics from theoretical behaviour an d lead to conflation of the structure of the source and sample in single p article reconstruction.\n\nContrary to expectations\, X-ray optical data c ollected at the SPB-SFX instrument of the European XFEL demonstrates a sen sitivity of inter- and intra-train variations in beam pointing to beam del ivery parameters\, including the order of a pulse within a train. This dat a is presented in comparison to a partially coherent wave optical simulati on of the SPB-SFX instrument\, through which photon diagnostics have been designed and developed\, with the goal of improving the stability and subs equent imaging quality of the user-end photon beam. We describe these prel iminary results within the scope of developing a novel phase-retrieval met hod applicable to the study of MHz repetition rate XFEL sources\, using ne arfield speckle-tracking measurements.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.a u/event/146/contributions/4340/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4340/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Neutron and synchrotron characterisation techniques for hydrogen f uel cell materials DTSTART:20211124T052000Z DTEND:20211124T053500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4341@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Krystina Lamb (ANSTO)\, San Ping Jiang (Curtin Unive rsity)\, John Bartlett (University of Western Sydney)\, Vanessa Peterson ( ANSTO)\, Dom Appadoo (Australian Synchrotron)\, Nigel Kirby (Australian Sy nchrotron)\, Roland De Marco (University of the Sunshine Coast)\n\nHydroge n fuel cells and other renewable energy technologies have specific materia ls and functional needs which can be more fully understood using neutron a nd synchrotron characterisation techniques. In this presentation\, a mater ials which has applications in proton exchange membranes is studied with a variety to techniques to develop a comprehensive understanding of the fun ctional-structural relationship. The materials used here is phosphotungsti c acid (HPWA) stabilised in an ‘inert’ mesoporous silica host material . This aim of this research is to develop an understanding of the interact ion between the HPWA and the silica and whether different structures or su rface chemistries have advantageous or detrimental effects.\nTwo silica sy mmetries used were Ia3 ̅d (face centred cubic bi-continuous) and P6mm (2D hexagonal with cylindrical pores) which were vacuum impregnated with solu tions of HPWA in a range of concentrations. The resulting powder samples w ere then analysed using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS)\, inductively coupled plasma emissions spectroscopy (ICP-OES)\, nitrogen gas adsorption/ desorption\, near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS/X-ray absor ption near edge structure/XANES) of the O and Si k-edges\, Fourier transfo rm infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR)\, Raman spectroscopy\, and then formed in to a disk using polyethylene as the binder for electrical impedance spectr oscopy (EIS). \nThe insights gained from this systematic study indicate th at the surface chemistry of the silica host has a significant effect on th e performance\, uptake and interactions with the HPWA anions\, where lower concentrations of HPWA result in stronger host:HPWA interactions but lowe r conductivity\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribution s/4341/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4341/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Small Angle Neutron Scattering instrument Bilby: capabilities to s tudy mainstream and complex systems DTSTART:20211125T074000Z DTEND:20211125T074100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4351@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chun-Ming Wu (NSRRC)\, Anna Sokolova (Dr)\, Liliana de Campo (ANSTO)\, Andrew Whitten (ANSTO)\n\nANSTO for more than ten years successfully operates the Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) instrumen t Quokka[1] and in 2016 commenced the user operation of the second SANS in strument\, Bilby[2]. The Ultra-small angle scattering instrument Kookaburr a[3] is completing the set of the SANS instruments at ANSTO.\n\nBilby expl oits neutron Time-of-Flight (ToF) to extend the simultaneous measurable Q- range over and above what is possible on a conventional reactor-based mono chromatic SANS instrument. In ToF mode\, choppers are used to create neutr on pulses comprising wavelengths between 2 and 20 Å of variable wavelengt h resolution (~3% ‒ 30%). In addition\, Bilby can operate in monochromat ic mode using a velocity selector.\n\nTwo arrays of position sensitive det ectors in combination with utilizing the wide wavelength range provide the capability to collect scattering data of a wide simultaneous angular rang e without changing the experimental set-up (maximum accessible Q on the in strument is 0.001-1.8Å-1). \n\nAdditionally\, there is a range of sample environment available allowing to change sample conditions in situ\, which is priceless for the study of a wide variety of samples ranging from coll oids and hierarchical materials to metals. Here we present some recent exa mples. \n\n\n\nReferences\n\n1. K. Wood et al\, QUOKKA\, the pinhole small -angle neutron scattering instrument at the OPAL Research Reactor\, Austra lia: design\, performance\, operation and scientific highlights. J. Appl. Crystallogr. 51 (2018) 294-341.\n2. A. Sokolova et al\, Performance and ch aracteristics of the BILBY time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering i nstrument. J. Appl. Crystallogr. 52 (2019) 1-12.\n3. C. Rehm et al\, Desig n and performance of the variable-wavelength Bonse-Hart ultra-small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer KOOKABURRA at ANSTO. J. Appl. Crystallog r. 51 (2018) 1-8.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribut ions/4351/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4351/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Verification of L-alanine single-crystallinity for anisotropic syn chrotron terahertz measurements DTSTART:20211125T030500Z DTEND:20211125T032000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4343@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Thomas Sanders (University of Wollonogong)\, Roger L ewis (University of Wollongong)\, Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\, Joseph Horvat (Un iversity of Wollongong)\, Jackson Allen (UOW)\n\nOne way to probe the mole cular interactions of a material is by using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy\ , which has been used to study L-alanine in detail [1]. However\, isotropi c THz spectroscopy has limitations in identifying the origin of vibrationa l modes since the direction of the associated dipole moment is random in a n isotropic THz measurement. Therefore\, there is a benefit to performing anisotropic (polarised) THz measurements. This work represents the first a nisotropic measurements performed on L-alanine\, the simplest chiral amino acid\, and one of the earliest amino acids fundamental to early life on E arth [2].\n\nAn appropriate sample for anisotropic measurements must be hi ghly single-crystalline. This presentation describes a method to prepare a nd test a sample for anisotropic THz measurements. Samples have been grown at the University of Wollongong\, and sample verification has been done a t ACNS’s Taipan triple-axis spectrometer. Using Taipan\, a narrow mosaic spread of ~0.8° was determined\, and single\, well-fitted Gaussian peaks were observed in both sample rotation and Q-space scans\, suggesting high single-crystallinity in our L-alanine samples. Additionally\, the Taipan measurements were able to verify the orientation of the L-alanine single c rystals with respect to their crystallographic axes. \n\nAnisotropic THz m easurements were taken on the THz – Far Infrared beamline at the Austral ian Synchrotron using a wire-grid polariser. Distinct absorption bands wer e observed for different crystal orientations\, further confirming single- crystallinity\, and identifying the dipole moment directions for the obser ved modes. We thus demonstrate a method of performing anisotropic THz meas urements.\n\n\n[1] T. J. Sanders et al.\, J. Chem. Phys.\, 154\, 244311 (2 021) \n[2] V. Kubyshkin and N. Budisa\, Int. J. Mol. Sci.\, 20\, 5507 (201 9)\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4343/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4343/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Towards fast dose calculations for novel radiotherapy treatments w ith generative adversarial networks DTSTART:20211124T053500Z DTEND:20211124T055000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4344@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ah Chung Tsoi (University of Wollongong)\, Anatoly R osenfeld (University of Wollongong)\, Susanna Guatelli (University of Woll ongong)\, Jason Paino (UOW)\, Ayu Saraswati (University of Wollongong)\, O laf Nackenhorst (TU Dortmund University)\, Markus Hagenbuchner (University of Wollongong)\, Michael Lerch (University of Wollongong)\, Jens Weingart en (TU Dortmund University)\, Florian Mentzel\, Kevin Kröninger (TU Dortm und University)\n\n**Introduction**\nExisting approximations used in clini cal treatment planning are either not fast or not accurate enough for some novel irradiation techniques like microbeam radiation therapy (MRT)\, whi ch relies on arrays of sub-mm synchrotron-generated\, polarized X-ray beam s. We present studies using generative adversarial networks (GANs) to mimi c full Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport to achieve a comprom ise of fast and accurate dose computation for variable phantoms and irradi ation scenarios.\n\n**Materials & Methods**\nTo obtain a generalised model for the dose prediction a conditional GAN using a 3D-UNet architecture is developed. As proof of concept\, we predict the simulated dose deposition s of a bone slab inside a water phantom with variable rotation angles and thicknesses. Subsequently\, we demonstrate that our model is generalisable by applying it to a simplified head phantom simulation.\nAll Monte Carlo simulations are performed with Geant4 using a phase space file obtained fr om a validated simulation at the Australian Synchrotron.\n\n**Results** \n The trained model predicts for both the bone slab inside the water phantom and the simple head phantom dose distributions with deviations of less th an 1% of the maximum dose for over 94% of the simulated voxels in the beam . Dose predictions near material interfaces are accurate on a voxel-by-vox el basis with less than 5% deviation in most cases. Dose predictions can b e produced in less than a second on a desktop PC compared to approximately 50 CPU hours needed for the corresponding Geant4 simulation.\n\nhttps://e vents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4344/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4344/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Continuous chemical redistribution following amorphous-to-crystall ine structural ordering in a Zr-Cu-Al bulk metallic glass DTSTART:20211125T074100Z DTEND:20211125T074200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4348@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ming Yang\, Xiaoya Wei\, Zhenduo Wu\, Haiyan He\, Si Lan\, Xiyang Li\, Muhammad Naeem\, Xuelian Wu\, Dong Ma\, Elliot Paul Gil bert \, Jie Zhou\, Zhaoping Lu\, Xun-Li Wang (City University of Hong Kong )\n\nBulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are thermodynamically metastable. As suc h\, crystallization occurs when a BMG is thermally annealed at a temperatu re above the glass transition temperature. While extensive studies have be en performed on the crystallization kinetics of BMGs\, most of them have f ocused on the amorphous-to-crystalline structural ordering\, and little at tention has been paid to chemical distribution and its relationship with t he structural ordering during the crystallization process. In this paper\, a new approach\, with simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC ) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements\, was applied to study in situ the crystallization of a Zr45.5Cu45.5Al9 BMG upon isothermal annealing at a temperature in the supercooled liquid region. Quantitative analysis of the DSC and SANS data showed that the structural evolution du ring isothermal annealing could be classified into three stages: (I) incub ation\; (II) amorphous-to-crystalline structural ordering\; (III) continuo us chemical redistribution. This finding was validated by composition anal ysis with atom probe tomography (APT)\, which further identified a transit ion region formed by expelling Al into the matrix. The transition region\, with a composition of (Cu\,Al)50Zr50\, served as an intermediate step fac ilitating the formation of a thermodynamically stable crystalline phase wi th a composition of (Cu\,Al)10Zr7.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ev ent/146/contributions/4348/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4348/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Working Mechanisms of Conversion-Type Metaphosphate Electrodes for Lithium/Sodium-Ion Batteries DTSTART:20211125T074200Z DTEND:20211125T074300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4349@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bernt Johannessen (Australian Synchrotron)\, Chris L ing (University of Sydney)\, Hongwei Liu (The University of Sydney)\, Sieg bert Schmid\, Qingbo Xia (The University of Sydney)\, Max Avdeev (Australi an Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation\, Australian Centre for Neu tron Scattering)\n\nThe development of novel high-performance electrodes i s crucial for the next generation of lithium/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/SI Bs) that can charge rapidly while maintaining high lithium/sodium storage capacity. One of the major research directions to achieve improved energy/ power densities of LIBs/SIBs has\, thus far\, focused on electrode materia ls that can store Li+/Na+ through conversion reactions. Our group has disc overed and systematically studied a new family of conversion-type electrod e materials\, the transition metal metaphosphates [M(PO3)n (M = Mn\, Fe\, Co\, Ni and Cu\; n = 1\, 2\, 3)]. Unlike traditional conversion-type monoa nionic compounds such as oxides\, nitrides and fluorides which rely on nan omaterials engineering\, these metaphosphates can achieve full capacities and fast Li+/Na+ diffusion kinetics from micro-sized samples synthesised b y conventional solid-state methods. We studied their conversion reactions using a combination of in situ x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD)\, in/ex sit u X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES)\, and ex situ high resol ution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). During the initial dischar ging\, these compounds convert into amorphous ceramic composites with high electrochemical activities in which fine transition metal nanograins are embedded in a glassy LiPO3 matrix. Glassy LiPO3 is an excellent Li+ conduc tor due to the low iconicity of PO3-\, and it can buffer the volume change of the electrode to maintain its integrity\, thus leading to much better electrochemical reversibility and cycling stability than monoanionic compo unds. In the following first charge\, the electrode converts back to a met aphosphate in terms of its composition but does not recrystallise. In subs equent cycles\, the metaphosphate electrodes in an amorphous form continue to react with Li+/Na+ reversibly.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ev ent/146/contributions/4349/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4349/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A photon counting detector for x-ray imaging: advantages and chall enges DTSTART:20211125T074300Z DTEND:20211125T074400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4353@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris Hall (Australian Synchrotron)\, Anton Maksimen ko (Australian Synchrotron)\, Micah Barnes (RMIT)\, Matthew Cameron (CMRP University of Wollongong)\, Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron)\, M itzi Klein (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nX-ray sensitive area detectors comp rised of arrays of photon counting elements have been under development fo r decades. The difficult and expensive technological development of integr ating readout electronic chips with a converter has been substantially sup ported by areas of science other than synchrotron radiation research. For instance\, such innovation is vital in large scale high energy physics det ectors. Synchrotron radiation research has benefited from this technology being spun-out into the market.\nIMBL has purchased a photon counting arra y detector: the Eiger2\, from the Swiss company Dectris. It will be used i n our human radiography programme. An NHMRC grant was awarded to pursue th e use of computed tomography in mammography (breast imaging) using the IMB L. Funds were provided for a 3 mega-pixel array detector\, with 75 micron pitch pixels. Similar devices have been used in SR x-ray scattering statio ns for a sometime\, but have not yet found extensive use in radiography. T he exquisite sensitivity is a great advantage for imaging live subjects\; keeping the required dose to a minimum. However they do have field coverag e limitations. These are being addressing as part of the human imaging pro ject. In all photon counting detectors currently on the market\, the activ e area is not continuous. The boundaries between IC chips\, and multi-chip modules create gaps. For diffraction these missing pixels may be less imp ortant\, since reflections are often duplicated\, or radial integration re duces their effect. In imaging however\, every pixel carries potentially i mportant clinical information.\nSome initial data from the IMBL Eiger2 is presented\, along with ideas for ameliorating the effect of the missing pi xels on the radiological information.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au /event/146/contributions/4353/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4353/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Kookaburra\, the ultra-small-angle neutron scattering instrument a t ANSTO: design and recent applications DTSTART:20211125T074400Z DTEND:20211125T074500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4354@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christine Rehm\, Liliana de Campo (ANSTO)\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)\n\nThe double-crystal ultra-small-angle neutron scattering ( USANS) diffractometer KOOKABURRA at ANSTO was made available for user expe riments in 2014. KOOKABURRA allows the characterisation of microstructures covering length scales in the range of 0.1–20 µm. Use of the first- an d second-order reflections coming off a doubly curved highly oriented mosa ic pyrolytic graphite pre-monochromator at a fixed Bragg angle\, in conjun ction with two interchangeable pairs of Si(111) and Si(311) quintuple-refl ection channel-cut crystals\, permits operation of the instrument at two i ndividual wavelengths\, 4.74 and 2.37 Å (see more details https://www.ans to.gov.au/our-facilities/australian-centre-for-neutron-scattering/neutron- scattering-instruments/kookaburra). This unique feature among reactor-base d USANS instruments allows optimal accommodation of a broad range of sampl es\, both weakly and strongly scattering\, in one sample setup [1\,2]. The versatility and capabilities of KOOKABURRA have already resulted in a num ber of research papers\, including studies on hard matter systems like roc ks and coal [3\,4]\, as well as soft matter systems like hydrogels or milk [5\,6]. This clearly demonstrates that this instrument has a major impact in the field of large-scale structure determination. Some of the recent e xamples will be presented here. \n\nReferences:\n[1] Rehm\, C. et al\, J. Appl. Cryst.\, 2013\, 46 1699-1704.\n[2] Rehm\, C. et al\, J. Appl. Cryst. \, 2018\, 51\, 1-8.\n[3] Blach\, T. et al\, Journal of Coal Geology\, 2018 \, 186\, 135-144.\n[4] Sakurovs\, R.et al\, Energy & Fuels\, 2017\, 31(1)\ , 231-238.\n[5] Whittaker\, J. et al\, Int. J. Biol. Macromol.\, 2018\, 11 4\, 998-1007.\n[6] Li\, Z. et al\, Food Hydrocolloid\, 2018\, 79\, 170-178 .\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4354/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4354/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Quokka\, the Pinhole Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Instrument at ANSTO DTSTART:20211125T074500Z DTEND:20211125T074600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4358@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chun-Ming Wu (NSRRC)\, Elliot Gilbert (ANSTO)\, Jite ndra Mata (ANSTO)\, Kathleen Wood (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolo gy Organisation)\n\nQuokka was the first SANS instrument to be in operatio n at the Australian research reactor\, OPAL [1]. It is a 40 m pinhole inst rument operating with a neutron velocity selector\, an adjustable collimat ion system providing source-sample distances of up to 20 m and a two dimen sional 1 m squared position-sensitive state-of-the-art detector\, capable of measuring neutrons scattered from the sample over a secondary flight pa th of up to 20 m. Also offering incident beam polarization and analysis ca pability as well as lens focusing optics\, Quokka has been designed as a g eneral purpose SANS instrument with a large sample area\, capable of accom modating a variety of sample environments. Some of these sample environmen ts are\, a Rapid Heat Quench Cell enabling a sample to be studied in situ following a thermal shock (-120°C to 220°C)\; The neutron Rapid Visco An alyser (nRVA) which enables SANS to be measured simultaneously with viscos ity via an RVA – an instrument widely used within the food industry\; In -situ Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)\; A stopped flow cell\, and RheoSANS.\nIn early 2021 Quokka achieved the milestone of 200 peer-reviewe d publications in a variety of research fields. Here we cover some of the research highlights along with Quokka’s performance and operation.\n\n[1 ] K. Wood\, J. P. Mata\, C. J. Garvey\, C. M. Wu\, W. A. Hamilton\,[..]and E. P. Gilbert\, QUOKKA\, the pinhole small-angle neutron scattering instr ument at the OPAL Research Reactor\, Australia: design\, performance\, ope ration and scientific highlights\, J Appl Crystallogr\, 2018\, 51\, 294-3 14.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4358/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4358/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Novel techniques with ATR apparatus at THz frequencies DTSTART:20211125T074600Z DTEND:20211125T074700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4359@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Negin Foroughimehr (PhD student)\, Zoltan Vilagosh ( Swinburne University of Technology)\, Andrew Wood (Swinburne University of Technology)\n\nA new method is presented which extends the capabilities o f attenuated total reflection (ATR) apparatus to a partial reflection/part ial transmission mode\, which also delivers the complex dielectric values of samples. The technique involves placing a mirror at a known distance fr om the sample/crystal interface to reflect the transmitted portion of the incident signal back to the detector. The attenuation of this signal refle cted is dependent on the absorption coefficient of the sample. \nThe metho d is well suited to biological samples in the terahertz radiation frequenc y band range 1.0 THz to 2.0 THz\, with a diamond crystal ATR. \nThe 2.0 TH z range biological data is poorly represented in literature\, since most T Hz data on biological tissues has 1.2 to 1.5 THz as the upper limit. A dem onstration of the technique was performed using water and water based gel at the Australian Synchrotron FIR/THz beamline. \nAt frequencies of 3.0 to 5.0 THz\, a paradoxical region was noted where the total reflectance of t he signal reflected at the initial crystal/sample interface plus the signa l reflected from the mirror was less than the reflected at the initial cry stal/sample interface alone. The destructive interference is in the region where the effective path length of the transmitted signal through the sam ple is in the region of 1.3 λ to 1.7 λ. Significance and potential uses of this region are still being investigated.\nSince many cancers have high er water content than normal tissue\, the extension of the ATR apparatus c apacity promises to establish a new diagnostic modality.\n\nhttps://events .synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4359/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4359/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding and controlling the formation of photonic crystals f rom polydisperse colloidal systems DTSTART:20211125T074800Z DTEND:20211125T074900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4366@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Philipp Reineck (ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanosc ale BioPhotonics\, School of Science\, RMIT University )\, Katherine Chea (RMIT University)\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)\, Gary Bryant (Centre for Molecu lar and Nanoscale Physics\, School of Applied Sciences\, RMIT University)\ n\nThe fundamentals of crystallisation and glass formation are not yet ful ly understood. Colloidal suspensions have been shown to be promising model systems for understanding these processes. As colloidal motion is Brownia n\, rather than ballistic\, kinetics and dynamics can be studied in real-t ime. It is well documented that colloidal suspensions can “successfully crystallise” when the particles in the system have sufficiently low poly dispersity.[1\,2] This means that the particles must have a similar averag e size and shape. If a system is highly polydisperse\, this will hinder th e solidification process.\n\nIn this work we will explore colloidal nanodi amonds. Nanodiamonds are a topic of interest in many material studies due to their wide variety\, and unique mechanical and optical properties.[3\,4 ] Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) are of particular interest due to their u nique fabrication process. Due the detonation synthesis method\, the parti cles are small (several nm) and faceted\, but in solution self-assemble in to highly irregular fractal shapes.[5] Despite this high polydispersity\, when centrifuged\, these types of DNDs can yield incredibly ordered struct ures and form iridescent photonic crystals – this is highly surprising g iven the highly irregular structures of these materials. These photonic cr ystals were first discovered by Grichko et al.\,[5] however\, the mechanis ms behind these highly ordered structures are still unknown. With a combin ation of lab techniques and beam time allocations at the Australian Synchr otron\, ANSTO and potentially overseas neutron facilities\, we will system atically investigate these nanodiamond photonic crystals\, and examine the ir structure and formation kinetics.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ event/146/contributions/4366/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4366/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synthesis and characterization of K2YbF5 upconversion nanoparticle s DTSTART:20211125T074900Z DTEND:20211125T075000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4367@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Xiaoxue (Helen) Xu (University of Technology Sydney) \, Lars Thomsen (Australian Synchrotron)\, Charlene Lobo (University of Te chnology Sydney)\, John Arnold Ambay (University of Technology Sydney)\, M arcus To (University of Technology Sydney)\n\nMany avenues exist for synth esizing upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)\, such as hydrothermal\, solvot hermal\, solid-state reactions\, thermal decomposition\, amongst others. H ere we compare three hydro-solvothermal synthesis processes for producing K2YbF5:Er and K2YbF5:Tm UCNPs\, each having a different order of addition of reagents. The first method (A) adds together potassium hydroxide\, olei c acid\, and ethanol\; followed by the lanthanide ions\, and finally potas sium fluoride. The second method (B) mixes the lanthanide ions\, oleic aci d\, and ethanol first\; followed by potassium hydroxide\, and finally pota ssium fluoride. The third method (C) is similar to the second one\, except that potassium hydroxide and potassium fluoride are mixed together first before being introduced into the system. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM)\, energy dispersive s pectroscopy (EDS)\, photoluminescence spectra (PL)\, and near-edge x-ray a bsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy on the Australian synchrotr on soft-X ray beam line. SEM images reveal that all particles are crystall ine with shapes ranging from microrods to hexagonal. EDS confirmed presenc e of dopant ions only for particles produced via method A\, while NEXAFS s pectra confirmed presence of dopant ions in all doped crystals\, with thei r expected NEXAFS structure confirming the oxidation state of the ion with in the nanocrystal. Thus there is evidence of dopant ions incorporated wit hin the crystal\; however\, more quantitative techniques must be applied t o properly ascertain the doping concentration and the quantum efficiency o f the upconversion processes occurring within the synthesized particles.\n \nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4367/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4367/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Do reduced aggregation and crystallinity really help to improve th e photovoltaic performance of terpolymer acceptors in all-polymer solar ce lls? DTSTART:20211125T075600Z DTEND:20211125T075700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4369@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Martyn Jervic (Flinders University)\, Doan Vu (Monas h University)\, Eliot Gann (National Institute of Standards and Technology )\, Lars Thomsen\, Mats Andersson (Flinders University)\, Chris McNeill (M onash University)\, Chao Wang (Monash University)\n\nTerpolymerization is a widely used method to control crystallinity of the semiconducting polyme rs which has been exploited to improve the photovoltaic performance of all -polymer solar cells (all-PSCs). Applying this strategy to the well-studie d n-type polymer acceptor PNDI2OD-T2\, different amounts of 3-n-octylthiop hene (OT) are used to partially replace the bithiophene (T2) unit\, result ing in three newly-synthesized terpolymer acceptors PNDI-OTx where x = 5%\ , 10%\, or 15%. Another copolymer\, namely PNDI2OD-C8T2\, consisting of na phthalene diimide (NDI) copolymerised with 3-n-octylbithiophene (C8T2) is also synthesized for comparison. The experimental X-ray characterizations suggest that the molecular orientation of π-conjugated backbone in PNDI-O Tx is slightly impacted and thin film crystallinity is systematically tune d by varying x\, evidenced by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (N EXAFS) and grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurem ents\, respectively. However\, the photovoltaic performance of all-PSCs ba sed on J71:PNDI-OTx and J71:PNDI2OD-C8T2 blends are much lower than that o f the reference J71:PNDI2OD-T2 system. Extensive morphological studies sug gest that reduced crystallinity is likely to have a little influence on ve rtical phase separation and crystallinity of resulting blends as revealed by peak fits from NEXAFS and GIWAXS experiments. However\, the reduced cry stallinity is detrimental for morphology of the blend films\, with coarser phase separation found in J71:PNDI-OTx and J71:PNDI2OD-C8T2 blends compar ed to J71:PNDI2OD-T2 blends\, confirmed by resonant soft X-ray scattering. The results here challenge the common view that reduced crystallinity is the key parameter in controlling the morphology for enabling high-performi ng all-PSCs.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/ 4369/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4369/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Current and future capabilities of the IRM beamline at the Austral ian Synchrotron\, and guidance on applying for use of the facility. DTSTART:20211125T075700Z DTEND:20211125T075800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4373@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mark Tobin (ANSTO)\, Keith Bambery (ANSTO)\, Annalei se Klein (ANSTO)\, Jitraporn (Pimm) Vongsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)\n\ nInfrared (IR) spectroscopy provides information on the chemical compositi on of materials\, based on the absorption of infrared light by the vibrati ng bonds within molecular groups. IR microspectroscopy\, using synchrotro n light as the infrared source\, enables this analysis to be performed on samples as small as 1 – 2 $\\mu$m in size\, with a sensitivity not possi ble in the laboratory. ANSTO’s synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy ( IRM) beamline is equipped with a suite of accessories to enable the study of a diverse range of materials. This includes a sample heating and cooli ng stage\, micro-compression cells for improved IR light transmission of d ense materials\, a liquid flow cell for the study of living organisms in a natural environment\, and grazing angle optics for the analysis of thin f ilm coatings on surfaces. The IRM beamline also has several attenuated to tal internal reflection (ATR) accessories that have been used for the stud y of challenging materials such biofilms\, carbon fibre\, leaf surfaces an d battery materials\, where a thin section of the sample can not be prepar ed. More recent developments on the IRM beamline include the use of polar isation optics to determine molecular orientation in materials and operati on with a far-IR detector to extend the spectral range to 260 cm-1. Future plans for the IRM beamline include the motorisation of additional functio ns to assist with mail-in experiments and\, in the longer term\, the addit ional of nano-IR capability to the experimental endstation. Scientists int erested in accessing the IRM beamline are encouraged to contact the IRM be amline team to discuss their research proposals.\n\nhttps://events.synchro tron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4373/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4373/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:KOALA 2: making a good instrument better! DTSTART:20211125T075800Z DTEND:20211125T075900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4375@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alison Edwards (ACNS\, ANSTO)\, Ross Piltz (ACNS\, A NSTO)\n\nAt the time that the KOALA Laue single-crystal neutron diffractom eter came into service at ANSTO\, a review of VIVALDI\, the progenitor ins trument at the ILL led to its deletion from their User program. Against t his background\, we were seeing a dearth of single-crystal neutron studies published in the literature. To our joy\, in usage\, we found the instr ument to be readily applicable to the problems which our future users had identified in the planning workshops for the first suite of neutron beam i nstruments at ANSTO. A User base has been built which has resulted in a s teady flow of rapidly cited publications across a wide range of journals - focussed on reaching the optimum scientific audience.\nKOALA is a copy of the ILL instrument VIVALDI purchased from the same vendor\, and outside t he standardisation of construction which has underpinned the reliability o f the ANSTO neutron beam instrument suite. At ten years use\, spare parts became a significant issue\, and a review of the control systems reveale d that the cost of refitting the existing instrument approached the cost o f building a replacement instrument. The decision to build KOALA2 has pro vided opportunities to optimise the initial design with significant operat ional enhancements. COVID has meant that we were initially on track to ac hieve the instrument implementation in mid 2022 (component issues now mean this will be late 2022)\, and we will continue to operate KOALA 1 until K OALA 2 is ready to install.\nAs time permits we will outline the range of science available and the enhancements KOALA 2.0 will bring.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4375/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4375/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Operando investigation of a lead-acid battery with the IMBL. DTSTART:20211124T013500Z DTEND:20211124T015000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4380@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris Hall (Australian Synchrotron)\, Russell Newnha m (Electric Applications Inc.)\, Anthony Hollenkamp (CSIRO)\, Peter Mahon (Swinburne University of Technology)\, Rosalie Hocking (Swinburne Universi ty of Technology)\, Chad Stone (Swinburne University of Technology)\n\nLea d-acid batteries play a key role in the energy storage marketplace. They a re often cheaper\, safer and more recyclable than alternative electrochemi cal energy storage systems. Under traditional energy storage applications such as starting\, lighting and ignition batteries\, they provide a great balance of affordability\, lifespan and performance to the consumer. Howev er\, as the demands placed on energy storage systems have increased over r ecent decades\, lead-acid batteries have been shown to have a markedly sho rtened lifespan. Investigations have found the cause of this failure is re lated to an uneven utilization of active material in the Pb electrode. Alt hough\, the process whereby uneven utilization of active material leads to a significant reduction in cycle-life has yet to be determined. Typically \, investigations of uneven material utilization are conducted after the f act and are destructive (EPMA\, SEM\, XRD etc.). Our project aimed to dete rmine whether the IMBL could be a suitable candidate for non-destructive\, operando investigations into active material utilization. To achieve this \, a lead-acid cell was designed specifically for the IMBL. It was cycled whilst being simultaneously imaged at 85 keV\, with an exposure time of 0. 8 s at a resolution of 5.8 µm. Results show that key reaction products co uld be observed in-situ and furthermore they could be localized within cer tain regions within the Pb electrode. We show that the IMBL could be a pow erful tool to further the current understanding of lead-acid batteries.\n\ nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4380/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4380/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:MyD88 TIR domain higher-order assembly interactions revealed by se rial femtosecond crystallography DTSTART:20211126T024500Z DTEND:20211126T030000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4377@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Connie Darmanin (La Trobe)\, Mark Hunter (Linac Cohe rent Light Source\, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory\, Menlo Park\, Ca lifornia\, USA)\, Thomas Ve (Institute for Glycomics\, Griffith University \, Southport\, Queensland\, Australia)\, Susannah Holmes (Australian Resea rch Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging\, Departmen t of Chemistry and Physics\, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science\, La Trobe University\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, Australia)\, Chun Hong Yoon (L inac Coherent Light Source\, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory\, Menlo Park\, California\, USA)\, Leonie Flueckiger (La Trobe University)\, Nadia Zatsepin (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Mo lecular Imaging\, Department of Chemistry and Physics\, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science\, La Trobe University\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, Aust ralia)\, Mengning Liang (Linac Coherent Light Source\, SLAC National Acce lerator Laboratory\, Menlo Park\, California\, USA)\, Bostjan Kobe (Univer sity of Queensland)\, Andrew Aquila (Linac Coherent Light Source\, SLAC Na tional Accelerator Laboratory\, Menlo Park\, California\, USA)\, Brian Abb ey (La Trobe University)\n\nSerial Synchrotron Crystallography (SSX) is ra pidly emerging as a promising technique for collecting data for time-resol ved structural studies or for performing room temperature micro-crystallog raphy measurements using micro-focused beamlines. When performed using ult ra-bright X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) sources serial crystallography typically involves a process known as ’diffract-and-destroy’ where eac h crystal is measured just once before it is destroyed by the intense XFEL pulse. It’s the small and intense beam focus of XFELs that make it poss ible to determine structures from nanocrystals where conventional crystall ography techniques fail. Only through thorough synchrotron investigation\, can we achieve successful XFEL beamtime proposals. Here we investigate th e important role of the MX2 beamline at the Australian Synchrotron played in the successful XFEL proposal which resulted in the structure of the Mye loid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and MyD88 adaptor-li ke/TIRAP (MAL)\, Toll-like receptor (TLR) adaptor proteins which play an i mportant role in inflammatory disease . The data generated at the Linac Co herent Light Source provided structural and mechanistic insight into TLR s ignal transduction[1].\n\n1. Clabbers\, M.\, Holmes\, S. et.al. MyD88 TIR domain higher-order assembly interactions revealed by microcrystal electro n diffraction and serial femtosecond crystallography. Nature Communication s\, Nature communications 12 (1)\, 1-14\, 2021.\n\nhttps://events.synchrot ron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4377/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4377/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Understanding Order and Correlation in Liquid Crystals by Fluctuat ion Scattering DTSTART:20211126T052500Z DTEND:20211126T054000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4382@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Cameron Kewish (Australian Synchrotron)\, Andrew Mar tin (RMIT University)\, Tamar Greaves (RMIT University)\, Patrick Adams (R MIT University)\, Jack Binns (RMIT University)\n\nCharacterising the supra molecular organisation of macromolecules in the presence of varying degree s of disorder remains one of the challenges of macromolecular research. Di scotic liquid crystals (DLCs) are an ideal model system for understanding the role of disorder on multiple length scales. Consisting of rigid aromat ic cores with flexible alkyl fringes\, they can be considered as one-dimen sional fluids along the stacking direction and they have attracted attenti on as molecular wires in organic electronic components and photovoltaic de vices.\n\nWith its roots in single-particle imaging\, fluctuation x-ray sc attering (FXS) is a method that breaks free of the requirement for periodi c order. However\, the interpretation of FXS data has been limited by diff iculties in analysing intensity correlations in reciprocal space. \n\nRece nt work has shown that these correlations can be translated into a three-a nd four-body distribution in real space called the pair-angle distribution function (PADF) – an extension of the familiar pair distribution functi on into a three-dimensional volume. The analytical power of this technique has already been demonstrated in studies of disordered porous carbons and self-assembled lipid phases.\n\nHere we report on the investigation of or der-disorder transitions in liquid crystal materials utilising the PADF te chnique and the development of facilities for FXS measurements at the Aust ralian Synchrotron.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contrib utions/4382/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4382/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High crystallinity nitrogen doping of ALaTiO4 and A2La2Ti3O10 (A = Na¬+\, K+) photocatalysts DTSTART:20211125T075900Z DTEND:20211125T080000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4384@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris Ling (University of Sydney)\, Brendan Kennedy (The University of Sydney)\, Junwei Junwei Li (The University of Sydney)\n \nGlobal warming is a current hot topic due to its potential for irreversi ble environmental damage. Ambitions were made within the Paris agreement t o limit the temperature rise to be below 1.5 ºC pre-industrial level. The refore\, alternative fuel sources are needed to replace fossil fuel\, with hydrogen gas is one popular choice due to its high energy density per uni t weight\, and technologies utilising hydrogen already developed. Hydrogen can be generated renewably by sunlight driven\, photocatalytic water-spli tting. Metal oxides\, including those with a Ruddlesden-Popper type struct ures are being studied as potential photocatalysts. KLaTiO4 is a n=1 Ruddl esden-Popper type layered perovskite. KLaTiO4 can be used as a Hydrogen Ev olution Catalyst (HEC)\, producing 9.540 μmol of H2 gas per hour from 20 mg of catalyst\, when using methanol as sacrificial electron donor and pla tinum co-catalyst. The main issue of KLaTiO4 is its high bandgap (4.09 eV) meant it is incapable of absorbing visible light.\nThe two main factors i mportant for the synthesis of ALaTiO4 and A2La2Ti3O10 (A = Na¬+\, K+) was discussed: volatility of alkaline metal ions at elevated temperatures and sintering temperature. Multiple samples of NaLaTiO4 or Na2La2Ti3O10 were made using traditional solid-state synthesis methods at temperature betwee n 750 °C to 950 °C. Bandgap was tuned by doping nitrogen into the struct ure of ALaTiO4 during the synthesis process\, as opposed to replacing oxyg en atoms with nitrogen by post treatment of ALaTiO4. This was achieved by replacing a portion of TiO2 reagent used for TiN\, and the sample was synt hesised as normal. The resultant ALaTiO4-xNx¬ sample retained good crysta llinity and have reduced bandgap\, but at a cost of reduction in hydrogen evolution rate.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributio ns/4384/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4384/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigation of Residual Stress and Mechanical Properties of Stee lwork After Laser Cleaning DTSTART:20211125T075200Z DTEND:20211125T075300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4387@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anna Paradowska (ANSTO)\, Yutaka Tsumura (Sydney Uni versity)\n\nSurface preparation of steelwork for structural repainting is often conducted by sandblasting method in which abrasives (sands) are blas ted onto the painted surface at high speed\, removing the old paint and ru st/dirt by the impact of the blast. This conventional method would cause i rreversible damage to the underlying substrate\, deteriorating its mechani cal and fatigue performance. Laser cleaning has attracted attention as an alternative to conventional cleaning methods as an environmentally friendl y and economical technology that removes paint and corrosion efficiently w hile inducing minimal damage to the surface of the material. \nThis resear ch investigates the mechanical properties and residual stresses of the las er cleaned steel samples from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Laser cleaning us ing nanosecond laser was performed on the structural steel plates removed from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The plates were then tested at the Austral ian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) for residual stres s measurement and the University of Sydney for the microstructure characte risation and microhardness testing. \nResults of the residual stress measu rements indicated that the residual stress profile changes at the surface after cleaning. This study enhances the understanding of changes in residu al stress and mechanical properties at the surface of a steel subjected to laser cleaning.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributi ons/4387/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4387/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Studying Polysaccharides in Solution with SAXS and Molecular Dynam ics DTSTART:20211126T023000Z DTEND:20211126T025000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4395@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Martin (Bill) Williams (Massey University\, MacDiarm id Institute\, NZ)\, Tim Ryan\, Amir Irani (School of Fundamental Sciences \, Massey University\, NZ)\, Ben Westberry (School of Fundamental Sciences \, Massey University\, NZ)\, Bradley Mansel (Department of Chemical Engine ering\, National Tsing Hua University\, Taiwan )\n\nPolysaccharides are se mi-flexible polymers composed of sugar residues with a myriad of important functions in-vivo\, including structural support\, energy storage and imm unogenicity. The local conformation of such chains is a crucial factor gov erning their interactions. Traditionally this conformation has only been d irectly accessible in the solid-state\, using crystallographic techniques such as fibre diffraction. However\, improvements in the quality of synchr otron-based X-ray scattering data means that conformation-dependent featur es can now be measured in solution. In tandem\, scattering predictions bas ed on structures initiated from existing fibre x-ray diffraction data\, an d then re-animated using molecular dynamics\, can now be performed. \n\nOu r group has recently measured the detailed small-angle x-ray scattering fr om a variety of anionic oligo- and poly-saccharides in solution. This talk will specifically present data obtained from experiments carried out on h omogalacturonan\, alginate and carrageenan and discuss their comparison wi th predictions based on our molecular dynamics simulations. The remarkable agreement found provides unequivocal evidence for the validity of our rea l-space atomistic models of the solution state structures. This technique is expected to be universally applicable for polysaccharides that consist of comparatively stiff glycosidic linkages\, and to have extensive relevan ce for a number of biological macromolecules\, including glycosylated prot eins.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4395/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4395/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering Update DTSTART:20211124T022000Z DTEND:20211124T024000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4398@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jamie Schulz (ANSTO)\n\nThe Australian Centre for Ne utron Scattering (ACNS) utilises neutrons from Australia's multi-purpose r esearch reactor\, OPAL\, to solve complex research and industrial problems for Australian and international users via merit-based access and user-pa ys programs. Neutron scattering techniques provide the research community and industry with unique tools to study the structure\, dynamics and prope rties of a range of materials\, helping scientists understand why material s have the properties they do\, and helping tailor new materials.  \n\nAn update will be given on the OPAL reactor and its neutron beam facilities\ , the status of the neutron beam instruments and supporting capabilities\, user program\, and future plans.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/eve nt/146/contributions/4398/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4398/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Delivery of antimicrobials to bacteria by cubosome nanocarriers DTSTART:20211124T234500Z DTEND:20211125T000500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4400@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Charlotte Conn (RMIT)\n\nDyett\, B.\; Meikle\, T.G.\ ; Yu\, H.\; Strachan\, J.B.\; Lakic\, B.\; White\, J.\; Drummond\, C.J. an d Conn\, C.E\n\nThe increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria \, in part due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics over the past decades\ , is one of the key global health challenges. Some gram-negative strains have already been found to be resistant even to last resort antibiotics. This is partially due to their ability to hinder the transport of antimicr obials through their outer membrane structure. One proposed strategy to c ombat this issue is via the use of lipid nanocarriers as drug delivery veh icles. These nanocarriers are known to interact with the outer lipid memb rane via a unique fusion-type mechanism which can improve transport of ant imicrobials into Gram-negative bacteria (Figure 1). In this talk I will discuss the mechanism of interaction of cubosome lipid nanocarriers with b oth Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and discuss recent advances i n the use of lipid-based nanocarriers to deliver antibiotics. \nSynchrotr on SAXS is used to characterise the internal nanostructure of the particle s before and after encapsulation of a range of antimicrobials including me tal nanocrystals\,[1] antimicrobial peptides [2] and small molecule drugs. [3] Synchrotron CD is used to confirm retention of secondary structure fo llowing encapsulation for antimicrobial peptides.[2] The mechanism of upta ke of cubosomes into both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is demo nstrated using TIRF microscopy in combination with synchrotron FTIR.[3.4] Fundamental differences in the uptake mechanism between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria will be described.[3]\n\n(more)\n\nhttps://events. synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4400/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4400/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:From Niche to Mainstream: Ptychography Comes of Age. DTSTART:20211124T000000Z DTEND:20211124T002000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4399@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Jones (QUT)\n\nIn the space of a few short y ears\, ptychography has moved from a niche method1\,2 to emerging as a mai nstream technique for user science3\,4. Until recently\, ptychography requ ired significant expert user experience to collect and reconstruct useable data\, with a field of view often limited to a small area (such as a sin gle cell)5 by data collection and reconstruction limitations6. Now however \, ptychography data can be collected at high speed7 complementary to mode rn X-ray fluorescence fly-scanning8\, with data-pipelines providing result s within a few hours using GPU enabled reconstruction algorithms9. These a dvances allow ptychography to be applied to larger areas and sample replic ates10\, allowing statistically significant user science to be done in a r easonable timeframe while simultaneously collecting X-ray fluorescence dat a11-13. In this presentation\, I highlight key milestones on the ptychogra phy journey as it makes its way into the mainstream\, as well as looking t owards the future.\n\nMichael W. M. Jones1\, Grant A. van Riessen2\,3\, Ch ristoph E. Schrank4\, Nicholas W. Phillips5\, Gerard N. Hinsley2\, Martin D. de Jonge6\, Cameron M. Kewish2\,6\n\n1Central Analytical Research Facil ity\, Queensland University of Technology\, Brisbane QLD 4000\, Australia\ n2Department of Chemistry and Physics\, La Trobe Institute for Molecular S cience\, La Trobe University\, Bundoora VIC 3086\, Australia\n3Melbourne C entre for Nanofabrication\, Clayton VIC 3168\, Australia\n4School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\, Faculty of Science\, Queensland University of Technology\, Brisbane QLD 4000\, Australia\n5Paul Scherrer Institut\, 5232 Villigen PSI\, Switzerland\n6Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Or ganisation\, Australian Synchrotron\, Clayton VIC 3168\, Australia\n\nhttp s://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4399/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4399/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Enhancing synchrotron modulated Microbeam Radiation Therapy in viv o with novel high Z nanoparticles DTSTART:20211125T064100Z DTEND:20211125T064200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4205@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Moeava Tehei\, Michael Lerch (University of Wollongo ng)\, Alice O'Keefe\, Michael Valceski\, Carolyn Hollis\, Elette Engels (U niversity of Wollongong)\, Micah Barnes (RMIT)\, Daniel Hausermann (Austra lian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\, Stephanie Corde\, Matthew Cameron (CMRP Univer sity of Wollongong)\, Matthew Large\, Jason Paino (UOW)\, Sarah Vogel (Uni versity of Wollongong)\, Mitzi Klein (Australian Synchrotron)\, Abass Khoc haiche\n\nWith limited improvement in brain cancer patient survival in the last 30 years\, the search for a treatment strategy that is targeted and effective continues. This study is harnessing the unique properties of syn chrotron radiation for anti-cancer radiotherapy. The Imaging and Medical B eamline (IMBL) at the ANSTO Australian Synchrotron (AS) offers the possibi lity to perform pre-clinical synchrotron radiation trials using extremely high dose-rates\, sparing normal tissue whilst delivering large doses to t he tumour site. This study focused on patient specific treatments combinin g Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) with novel high Z nanoparticles (NPs)\ , and was the largest rodent survival study utilising nanoparticle enhance ment ever undertaken at AS. Thulium oxide NPs (Z=69) are a promising sensi tising and imaging agent with limited cytotoxicity and proven synchrotron enhancement. 32 Fischer 344 rats were inoculated with 9L gliosarcoma in th e right caudate nucleus of the brain. 11 days later\, the rats were imaged with Computed Tomography (CT) to locate the tumour in relation to bony an atomy. The following day\, nanoparticles were injected directly to the tum our of each rat. Using the CT scans\, the rats were aligned in-beam\, and a bolus was placed over the irradiation site. One radiation fraction was g iven to different treatment groups at valley doses of 8\, 14 or 15Gy\, wit h a radiation field of 8mm by 8mm and microbeams produced using the 4T mag net and Al/Al filtration. Utilising a heavily improved oedema protocol\, s eizure symptoms and adverse events immediately post MRT were significantly reduced. Overall survival compared to rodents with MRT alone was found to be improved when considering the tumour to brain volume.\n\nhttps://event s.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4205/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4205/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural basis of the Trichoplax adhaerens Scribble and Dlg inte ractions with the PDZ-binding motif of Vangl DTSTART:20211125T064200Z DTEND:20211125T064300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4203@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marc Kvansakul (Department of Biochemistry and Genet ics\, La Trobe University\; Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Preventio n\, La Trobe University)\, Janesha Maddumage (1Department of Biochemistry and Genetics\, La Trobe University)\, Humbert Patrick (1Department of Bio chemistry and Genetics\, La Trobe University\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3086\, Australia\; Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Prevention\, La Trobe Un iversity\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3086\, Australia \;Department of Biochemis try & Molecular Biology\, University of Melbourne\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3 010\, Australia\; Department of Clinical Pathology\, University of Melbour ne\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3010\, Australia)\n\nMaintenance of multicellula r tissue architecture is conserved process which is regulated by a highly\ nconserved set of proteins. The interacting partners of these regulators a re also conserved across the\nanimal kingdom. Scribble and Dlg are two suc h key polarity regulators that involve in the establishment\nand maintenan ce of multicellular apical-basal cell polarity in epithelial cells. These are scaffolding\nproteins bearing multiple PDZ domains that mediate most o f their interactions. Complex multicellular\norganisms evolved from the si mple primitive forms\; therefore\, we examined Scribble and Dlg mediated\n cell polarity in the simplest metazoan living on earth\, Placazoa\, Tricho plax adhaerens. Despite its\nextreme simplicity\, Trichoplax contains all polarity regulators that are fundamental to instruct the body\nplans in hi gher animals\; thus\, making it an ideal candidate to use as a polarity st udying model. We now\nshow biochemically that a key interaction for the es tablishment of cell polarity between Scribble and\nDlg PDZ domains and Van gl in mammals is fully recapitulated in Trichoplax. We found that Scribble \nPDZ1\, PDZ2 and PDZ3 interact with Vangl with affinities comparable to t he human interaction\, with\na similar hierarchy in affinities. We also fo und that all three PDZ domains of Dlg interact with Vangl\nwith no hierarc hy of their affinities. We then show using crystal structures of Scribble PDZ1\, PDZ2 and\nDlg PDZ1\, PDZ2 bound to the C-terminal PDZ binding motif of Vangl that in addition to the binding\naffinities\, the detailed inter actions between Scribble/Vangl and Dlg/Vangl are also conserved at the\nat omic level between Trichoplax and human.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org .au/event/146/contributions/4203/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4203/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Complex Coacervates as encapsulation system DTSTART:20211125T064500Z DTEND:20211125T064600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4182@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Whitten (ANSTO)\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)\, Shi nji Kihara\, Sunandita Ghosh\n\nComplex coacervates are oppositely charged self-assembled biopolymers such as proteins and polysaccharides. They can be used both as a delivery system of bioactive materials\, and for improv ing the structural and textural functionalities of the final food products . The functionalities of the coacervates are dependent on their microstruc tures\, which are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the comb ination of protein\, polysaccharide\, and bioactive. The encapsulation app roach developed in this work incorporates the binding of the bioactives to proteins prior to forming complex coacervates with pectin. This was compa red to the coacervate structures formed without the bioactives.\nStructura l characterization using SANS showed that protein-bioactive complexes coul d effectively self-assemble with pectin to form complex coacervates making them suitable to be considered as effective encapsulating systems that ca n used as value added products such as fat and meat analogous.\n\nhttps:// events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4182/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4182/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Taipan – a versatile thermal neutron scattering instrument for m aterials research. DTSTART:20211125T064700Z DTEND:20211125T064800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4345@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Guochu Deng (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolo gy Organization)\, Anton Stampfl (Australian Nuclear Science and Technolog y Organisation)\, Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\n\nLocated on the OPAL reactor face \, Taipan is the highest flux\, thermal neutron scattering instrument at A NSTO. Originally\, Taipan was built as a traditional triple-axis spectrom eter for inelastic neutron scattering studies with energy transfers up to 70meV. Since its inclusion in the ANSTO user program in 2010\, Taipan has undergone a number of upgrades and improvements\, including new shielding \, new primary optics and the installation of a Cu-monochromator extending energy transfers up to 200meV. An additional secondary spectrometer\, th e Be-filter analyser\, was also developed and integrated in 2015\, offerin g a new way to measure excitations and vibrations in polycrystalline mater ials.\nThis poster will present some recent highlights at Taipan – both as a TAS\, and a Be-filter analyser spectrometer.\n\nhttps://events.synchr otron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4345/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4345/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Data processing technique for the Taipan Be-filter spectrometer DTSTART:20211125T065400Z DTEND:20211125T065500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4346@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anton Stampfl (Australian Nuclear Science and Techno logy Organisation)\, Vanessa Peterson (ANSTO)\, Margaret Elcombe (ANSTO)\, Kirrily Rule (ANSTO)\, Gail Iles (RMIT)\n\nTaipan\, the highest flux ther mal neutron scattering instrument at ACNS\, was originally built as a trad itional triple-axis spectrometer. In 2016 a beryllium filter analyser spe ctrometer was added for increased versatility. The Be-filter acts like a low-energy band-pass filter ideal for investigating lattice dynamics and m olecular vibrations over a wide energy range. It is particularly well suit ed to measuring the motion within materials containing light elements such as hydrogen.\nWe have successfully created a robust method of treating da ta from the Taipan filter-analyser and present the method within this post er [1]. The data-treatment process includes correction for the non-linear energy variation of a particular monochromator\, removal of higher-order w avelength contamination\, and estimation of low-energy multiple-scattering . The steps described here can be utilized by all users of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation “Be-filter”—past\, prese nt\, and future.\n\n[1] G.N. Iles\, K.C. Rule\, V.K. Peterson\, A.P.J. Sta mpfl and M.M. Elcombe\, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 92\, 073304 (2021)\; doi: 10.10 63/5.0054786\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/ 4346/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4346/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Comparison between calculated texture-derived velocities and labor atory measurements conducted on samples from a gold-hosting structure. DTSTART:20211125T070600Z DTEND:20211125T070700Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4224@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Claudio Delle Piane (CSIRO)\, Andre Eduardo Calazans Matos de Souza (Curtin University)\, Mustafa Sari (CSIRO)\, Joel Sarout ( CSIRO)\, Vladimir Luzin (ANSTO)\, Stephanie Vialle (Curtin University)\n\n Most lode gold deposits worldwide are associated with structures such as s hear zones. Thanks to their capacity to couple resolution and depth of inv estigation\, seismic methods can identify these indirect indicators of min eralization and help extend gold exploration targets to greater depths. Ro cks from shear zones are usually seismically anisotropic. Seismic anisotro py is generally related to the intrinsic texture of the rock and the prese nce of cracks at depth. Determining seismic anisotropy in relation to the texture of the rock\, and its evolution with depth (pressure) is therefore necessary to help interpret exploratory seismic surveys. We report here t he results of such a correlation conducted in the laboratory with rock sam ples extracted from the Thunderbox Gold Mine in Western Australia. Four sa mples — including two from the shear zone — were selected to assess th e pressure and directional dependency of the P-wave velocities. In additio n\, an independent texture analysis was carried out on the two samples fro m the shear zone using the quantitative Neutron diffraction method. We the n computed the texture-derived velocities using as inputs the mineralogy a nd texture of the samples. The good agreement between calculated texture-d erived velocities with experimental measurements shows that the texture of the shear zone samples is the main source of seismic anisotropy. This stu dy seeks to improve the understanding of the seismic response across miner al deposits that are structurally controlled by shear zones.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4224/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4224/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Combating “fishy” seafood using nuclear techniques DTSTART:20211125T070800Z DTEND:20211125T070900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4225@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Armand J. Atanacio (ANSTO)\, Patricia Gadd (ANSTO)\ , Karthik Gopi (UNSW)\, Jagoda Crawford (ANSTO)\, Jesmond Sammut (UNSW)\, Debashish Mazumder (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation )\, Neil Saintilan (Macquarie University)\n\nFood provenance is a global concern due to rising instances of food fraud\, costing the global food in dustry over 50 billion USD per annum and leading to consumers getting lowe r quality produce. Seafood is a high value food product\, and the Australi an seafood industry is worth 4 billion AUD by 2023. Most Australian seafoo d is exported\, and complex supply chains can leave it susceptible to seaf ood fraud. Accurate and reliable methods of determining seafood provenance is necessary to deter fraud in the supply chain. While conventional techn iques can be used for determining seafood provenance\, there is no single method that accurately determines both the geographic and production origi n of seafood.\n\nThis is where nuclear techniques can play a vital role\, the ANSTO led seafood provenance consortium has partnered with university\ , industry\, and government agencies to develop a method for determining s eafood provenance using iso-elemental fingerprinting. This work also highl ights the utilisation of ANSTO’s multi-platform analysis capabilities in cluding x-ray fluorescence through Itrax\, accelerator-based ion beam anal ysis and stable isotope analysis that allow provenance to be determined wi th >80% accuracy when combined with machine learning based models.\n\nThis research is expected to provide the industry and regulatory bodies with a n effective way of determining seafood provenance. Furthermore\, the iso-e lements fingerprints are unique to each grower and has the potential to be used as a tool to protect their brands. It also ensures that the Australi an export industry is protected and allow consumers to make informed decis ions when purchasing seafood.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/1 46/contributions/4225/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4225/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Data Constrained Modelling with multi-energy X-ray computed microt omography to evaluate the porosity of plasma sprayed ceramic coatings DTSTART:20211125T071000Z DTEND:20211125T071100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4230@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christopher Berndt (Swinburne University of Technolo gy)\, Andrew Ang (Swinburne University of Technology)\, Bruno Kahl (Swinbu rne University of Technology)\, Sam Yang (CSIRO Manufacturing)\n\nCoatings of the materials zirconium boride (ZrB2) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) underwe nt X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (X-ray μ-CT) scanning at the Australia n Synchrotron. The Data Constrained Modelling (DCM) approach was used to r econstruct 3D models and assess porosity and void distributions. The resul ts from the 3D analysis were compared to a 2D porosity and void distributi on assessment\, determined from image analysis of the coatings. It was fou nd that the 3D and 2D porosity quantifications were in moderate to good ag reement. The 3D porosity determined from the ZrB2-1 model\, 24.7%\, was wi thin the range determined from 2D analysis\, 22.1 ± 2.6%. Alternatively\, the 3D porosity determined from the HAp-1 model\, 22.8%\, was marginally greater than the determined 2D porosity\, 19.8 ± 2.1%. However\, a compar ison of the 2D and 3D void distributions revealed that a 2D assessment poo rly predicts the 3D microstructure of coatings and cannot be used to infer properties strongly dependent on the 3D void network. Furthermore\, the 3 D analysis demonstrated the deficiencies in typical CT segmentation method s applied to data with a moderate CT resolution size of 5.4 μm. The DCM m ethodology can quantify fine-structure details below the resolution of the performed CT and thus assess the multi-scale porosity and void networks w ithin atmospheric plasma spray (APS) deposited coatings. The superior DCM approach enabled the quantification of pores below the CT resolution limit and revealed that approximately 91.5% and 81.0% of the ZrB2-1 model and t he HAp-1 models\, respectively\, would not have been accurately modelled u sing typical CT segmentation methods.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au /event/146/contributions/4230/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4230/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Using low energy ion beams to pattern the surface of novel semicon ductors DTSTART:20211125T071200Z DTEND:20211125T071300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4233@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mitchell Nancarrow (University of Wollongong)\, Pete r Evans (ANSTO)\, David Cortie (The University of Wollongong)\, Zeljko Pas tuovic (Centre for Accelerator Science of ANSTO)\, Abuduliken Bake (Univer sity of Wollongong)\n\nA wide range of ion energies (KeV- MeV)\, ion speci es\, and ion fluences achievable by ion beam implantation\, which allows f abrication of highly customized patterned subsurface structures in materia ls. This advanced material processing technology allows tuning of specific magnetic\, and electronic properties with the aim of achieving a wide ran ge of functionalities in electronics. Magnetic ions implantation has been actively used for functionalising semiconductor materials in recent few ye ars in attempt to fabricate magnetic semiconductors for spintronic applica tions. [1\, 2] Ion beam patterning\, like electron-beam lithography\, able to fabricate customised geometryies on a surface of a semiconductor to cr eate a functionalised region with desired electronic and magnetic properti es. By using low energy ion beam implanter at Center of Accelerator Scienc e (CAS) at Australian Nueclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) \, we demonstrate that the current method has the potential application in the integrated circuitry processing industry with the ability to “write ” very small features down to few tens of nanometers.\n\nhttps://events. synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4233/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4233/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Canine osteosarcoma positioning and dosimetry study DTSTART:20211125T071700Z DTEND:20211125T071800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4239@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Micah Barnes (RMIT)\, Elette Engels (University of W ollongong)\, Elisabeth Schültke (Department of Radiooncology\, Rostock Un iversity Medical Center\, Rostock\, Germany)\, Daniel Hausermann (Australi an Synchrotron)\, Stewart Ryan (Department of Surgical Oncology\, Melbourn e University Veterinary School\, Australia)\, Jason Paino (UOW)\, Mitzi Kl ein (Australian Synchrotron)\, Fleix Jaekel (Department of Radiooncology\, Rostock University Medical Center\, Rostock\, Germany)\, Michael Lerch (U niversity of Wollongong)\n\nAppendicular osteosarcoma is a highly destruct ive malignant primary bone tumour occurring in both canine and human patie nts. Clinically\, amputation is the most common outcome\, however\, Synchr otron generated radiotherapy may provide a preferable alternative.\nBuildi ng from a body of knowledge acquired in small animal models\, client-owned dogs with spontaneously developing tumours would be an excellent translat ional model to assess novel radiation therapies\, moving toward the ultima te goal of human patients.\n\nThis work presents a positioning and dosimet ry study using a canine cadaver as a proof-of-concept for veterinary trial s at the imaging and medical beamline of the Australian Synchrotron. This included x-ray imaging\, alignment to the treatment beam\, simulation and prescription of a therapeutic dose and finally the delivery of said prescr iption.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4239/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4239/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Lithium Lanthanide Halides: A New Family of Solid Electrolytes DTSTART:20211125T071800Z DTEND:20211125T071900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4208@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Brennan (University of Sydney)\n\nThe growin g need for safe and reliable energy storage has brought the search for sta ble\, high performance solid electrolytes to the forefront of battery mate rials research. Recently\, it has been shown that lithium lanthanide halid es (Li$_3$MX$_6$\, M = La-Lu\, X = Cl\, Br\, I) with high ionic conductivi ties can be synthesized through mechanochemical and water mediated routes\ , creating renewed interest in the family of compounds. However\, Li$_3$MX $_6$ compounds have only been synthesised with the late lanthanides (Eu-Lu )\, apart from the isolated case of samarium bromide\, and of these compou nds\, only Li$_3$MX$_6$ (X = Cl\, Br\, I) and Li$_3$YbCl$_6$ have had thei r crystal structures reported. This leaves a large gap in the literature t hat is yet to be explored. The family of Li$_3$MX$_6$ compounds share prop erties that make them highly appealing for use in all-solid-state batterie s. Their structural properties\, namely disordered lithium sites and soft anion lattices\, allow for Li$_3$MX$_6$ compounds to have excellent ionic conductivities of ~1 mS/cm\, comparable to garnet Li$_7$La$_3$Zr$_2$O$_{1 2}$\, one of the most promising solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. Additionally\, halides have a favourable decomposition against lithium met al electrodes\, forming ionically conductive and electronically insulating LiX interphase materials. These interphase materials are stable during cy cling and impede any further electrolyte decomposition\, allowing for exce llent cyclic stability. These properties\, along with the large gaps that are yet to be explored\, make research into Li$_3$MX$_6$ compounds imperat ive for the continued development of solid-state electrolytes for all-soli d-state batteries.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribu tions/4208/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4208/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating negative thermal expansion in aliphatic metal-organi c frameworks DTSTART:20211125T072000Z DTEND:20211125T072100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4216@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Helen Maynard-Casely (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Helen Brand (Australian Synchrotron)\, Lauren Macreadie (University of Sydney)\, Celia Chen (The University of Sydney)\n \nNegative thermal expansion (NTE) involves the unconventional behaviour o f material contraction upon heating and has been observed in some metal or ganic frameworks (MOFs). Investigations into the mechanism governing NTE a re highly important for practical applications for when it is undesirable for materials to expand upon heating. Previous investigations focused on a romatic and single component frameworks\, our goal is to expand into the r ealm of aliphatic linkers such as cubane-1\,4-dicarboxylate (1\,4-cdc) and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1\,3-dicarboxylate (1\,3-pdc)\, which may introduce unencountered dynamic motions.[1] \n\nSingle-component aliphatic MOFs\, 3 DL-MOF-1 ([Zn4O(1\,3-pdc)3]) and CUB-5 ([Zn4O(1\,4-cdc)3]) were explored u sing powder diffraction (PD) techniques.[2] The aliphatic MOFs demonstrate d enhanced NTE\, in comparison to its aromatic MOF-5 analogue . Investigat ions on the host-guest effects on NTE behaviour[3] were explored using ne utron PD at the ACNS by charging 3DL-MOF-1 with CO2 guest molecules. Succe ssful NTE quenching was achieved at higher CO2 loading.\n\nTo extend our u nderstanding of aliphatic influences on NTE behaviour\, we study a series of moisture stable multicomponent frameworks.[4] Using synchrotron PD and single crystal X-ray diffraction we investigate the NTE behaviour of quat ernary MOFs (three linkers and one node) by varying the aliphatic linker i n each system. We hope to identify the key characteristics of aliphatic li nkers that dictates NTE behaviour. \n\n\n\n[1] J. Perego et al.\, Nature C hemistry 2020\, 12\, 845.\n[2] L. K. Macreadie et al.\, ACS Applied Materi als & Interfaces 2021\, 13\, 30885.\n[3] J. E. Auckett et al.\, Nature com munications 2018\, 9\, 1.\n[4] L. K. Macreadie\, et al.\, Angewandte Chemi e International Edition 2020\, 59\, 6090.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.or g.au/event/146/contributions/4216/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4216/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The investigation of structural and electronic configurations of n oble-metal free nanocomposite and electrocatalytic oxides for acidic water electrolysis DTSTART:20211125T072400Z DTEND:20211125T072500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4192@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Brittany Kerr (Swinburne University of Technology)\, Bernt Johannessen (Australian Synchrotron)\, Rosalie Hocking (Swinburne U niversity of Technology)\, Alexandr Simonov (Monash University)\, Manjunat h Chatti (Monash University)\, Darcy Simondson-Tammer (Monash University)\ n\nThe development of *in situ* XAS for water electrolysis applications\, such as sustainable hydrogen production\, is integral towards the accurate characterisation of state-of-the-art electrocatalytic materials. As this field continues to uncover a breadth of earth-abundant and high performanc e electrocatalysts\, the understanding of their operando structures and el ectronic states is required to not only understand the true nature of thes e electromaterials\, but also precisely bench-mark emerging catalysts and catalytic mechanisms against already industrially dominant electrocatalyst s. Due to its intrinsically conductive nature\, and the purity of hydrogen that is produced at industrially relevant current densities\, acidic wate r electrolysis presents one of the most capable modes of producing hydroge n sustainably at the terawatt scale. It is from these perspectives that th e development of cost effective\, acid stable and highly active catalytic materials must be developed and characterised in order to make this techno logy increasingly feasible for deployment at the global scale. Operando XA S has been instrumental in our recent developments towards two intrinsical ly stable electrocatalysts that are based off cobalt-rion-lead and silver- bismuth mixed oxides\, and the now refined understanding of "catalyst-in-m atrix" mechanisms of operation. During our XAS work at ANSTO we have been successful in collecting high quality XANES and EXAFS data on the two acid stable materials described\, whereby structural and electronic informatio n would not have been uncovered under *ex situ* XAS experimental designs. From the detailed results obtained\, we are now refining our *in situ* XAS technique for a breadth of acid-stabe materials that have been developed within our team at Monash University and believe that this will benefit th e field towards precise bench-marking metrics for cost effective electroca talysis.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4192 / LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4192/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating the dielectric properties of the cornea and tympanic membrane using Synchrotron ATR and transmission at THz frequencies DTSTART:20211125T072500Z DTEND:20211125T072600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4206@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Andrew Wood (Swinburne University of Technology)\, N egin Foroughimehr (Swinburne University of Technology)\, Zoltan Vilagosh ( Swinburne University of Technology)\n\nHigh GHz and THz frequencies are be coming important in the communication\, security\, and industrial fields. With the increasing use of THz technology\, the skin\, cornea\, and tympan ic membrane will be subjected to increased incidental and purposeful THz r adiation. There is an urgent need to adequately characterise the way the c ornea and tympanic membrane interact with THz radiation to understand pote ntial THz exposure hazards and refine dosimetry guidelines. The understand ing of the complex permittivity of the cornea and tympanic membrane at THz frequencies may lead to the development of THz-based diagnostic technique s and therapeutic techniques based on the differences of permittivity at T Hz between normal and pathological states.\n\nTHz is highly absorbed by li quid water. The cornea and tympanic membrane are “high bulk water conten t” tissues (over 70% water). We have devised innovative approaches to i nterrogate biological samples with attenuated total reflection (ATR) appar atus at THz frequencies at THz/far-infrared beamline in the Australian Syn chrotron. One new method extends the capabilities of the ATR apparatus to a partial reflection/partial transmission mode (APR). A second method was to vary the temperature of biological tissues whilst continually scanning the sample. The combination of the methods brought a very accurate determi nation of the temperature-dependent variation of the refractive index. The last technique extends the useful range of the apparatus to exploring sam ples with refractive index beyond the maximum possible with attenuated tot al reflection\, bringing water-based biological samples within the capacit y of the diamond crystal ATR at the Australian Synchrotron.\n\nhttps://eve nts.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4206/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4206/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:SNAKE VENOM-CONTRLLED 3D FIBRIN ARCHITECTURE REVEALED BY SANS/USAN S DICTATES FIBROBLAST DIFFERENTATION DTSTART:20211125T072700Z DTEND:20211125T072800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4197@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alan Rowan (Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology\, The University of Queensland\, Australia.)\, Jan Lauk o (1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology\, The Unive rsity of Queensland\, Australia.)\, Petri Turunen (Microscopy Core Facilit y\, Institute of Molecular Biology\, Mainz\, Germany.)\, Zhao Wang (1Austr alian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology\, The University of Queensland\, Australia.)\, Elliot Gilbert (Australian Institute for Bioeng ineering and Nanotechnology\, The University of Queensland\, Australia\; A ustralian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, Australian Nuclear Science and T echnology Organization\, Lucas Heights\, NSW\, Australia.)\, Jitendra Mata (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, Australian Nuclear Science an d Technology Organization\, Lucas Heights\, NSW\, Australia.)\, Amanda Kij as (1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology\, The Univ ersity of Queensland\, Australia.)\n\nFibrin is the founding matrix after injury\, delivering the key biophysical cues to promote wound healing in a timely and coordinated manner. The effect of the fibrin architecture on w ound healing hasn’t been studied due to a lack of control over the enzym e-catalyzed polymerization of the fibrin network in vitro. Here\, we estab lish a new defined snake venom-controlled fibrin system with precisely and independently controlled architectural and mechanical properties. By util ising combined small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS) techniques\, we characterize the full-scale ar chitectural properties of the new system from the internal structure of th e individual fibres to the structure of the fibrin networks and compare th em to super-resolution optical methods. This very precise set of neutron s cattering data confirms our full control over the network’s architectura l features\, which serves as a foundation for the application of this defi ned system. The subsequent cell differentiation studies reveal that fibrin architecture has prevailing control over fibroblast spreading phenotypes and long-term myofibroblast differentiation. These findings implicate matr ix architecture as a key activator of fibroblast differentiation and provi de new biophysical strategies in the design of biomaterials to promote sca rless wound healing.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contri butions/4197/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4197/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A precisely piezo-controlled macro-ATR for characterizing the dyna mic behaviour electrolyte/electrode interface DTSTART:20211125T072900Z DTEND:20211125T073000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4228@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: SAILIN LIU (University of Wollongong)\, Wei Kong Pan g (University of Wollongong)\, Jitraporn (Pimm) Vongsvivut (Australian Syn chrotron)\, Zaiping Guo (University of Adelaide)\n\nIn all battery systems \, electrolyte plays a vital role in determining the stability of the elec trodes\, as well as the safety of the battery uses. The good solid electro lyte interphase (SEI) protective layer formed at the first cycling process of the battery\, rather than continually accumulating on the electrode su rface\, and is not dissoluble in electrolytes\, making its properties high ly dependent on the chemical structure. Therefore\, further development of safe battery technology strongly requires a better understanding of the c hemistry and formation mechanism of the SEI\, which remains largely unknow n due to their complex structure and a lack of reliable in situ experiment al techniques. Based on the above\, a novel piezo-controlled macro-ATR (wi thin a precise controlling thickness of 100 nm above the electrode surface ) is successfully developed for battery research in the IRM beamline in th e Australian Synchrotron. This innovation enables probing the real-time re action inside a battery at the micro-scale with an accurate controlled det ecting movement to the electrode surface. Changes in functional groups and their distribution observed will be complementary with the ex-situ result s to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms occurring in differe nt electrolytes at different stages\, which will subsequently be correlate d to their stability and charging performance. Such knowledge will be crit ical for optimizing the ingredients of non-flammable electrolytes to suppo rt further development of more stable and high-performance batteries and e nable scientific design principles of non-flammable electrolytes.\n\nhttps ://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4228/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4228/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Analysis of Thermoresponsive Dextrans via Small-Angle X-ray Scatte ring DTSTART:20211125T073000Z DTEND:20211125T073100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4210@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Paula Facal Marina (University of South Australia)\, Anton Blencowe (University of South Australia)\, Sarah Otto (University o f South Australia)\, Hugo Albrecht (University of South Australia)\, Todd Gillam (University of South Australia)\n\nThermoresponsive polymers have g ained significant interest over recent years due to their potential use in a wide range of applications\, including drug delivery\, cell therapies\, pharmaceuticals\, tissue engineering\, and mineral processing [1]. Of par ticular interest are thermoresponsive polysaccharides\, which are generall y biocompatible and biodegradable\, unlike their synthetic counterparts. T his is particularly important when considering biomedical applications\, s uch as drug delivery\, as biodegradability allows for the clearance of the drug delivery system from the body and can help to facilitate drug releas e. We have developed a novel family of thermoresponsive polysaccharides wi th tunable transition temperatures via functionalisation of non-thermoresp onsive dextran with a series of alkylamides [2]. By altering the compositi on and degree of substitution of the alkylamide groups on the dextran back bone\, the temperature at which phase transition occurs can be tuned. Upon heating\, solutions of thermoresponsive dextrans undergo a reversable pha se transition to afford colloidal suspensions. The nature of the solution- to-colloid transition was investigated by UV-visible spectrophotometry to determine the transition temperature and hysteretic effects\, and via dyna mic light scattering to determine changes in particle size and dispersity. To further interrogate the phase transitions and conformational changes o ccurring upon heating and cooling\, Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scatteri ng (SAXS) was conducted as a function of temperature. Taken together\, the se results provide a fundamental platform to further study the behaviour o f these novel thermoresponsive dextrans when applied to specific applicati ons\, such as drug delivery or mineral processing. \n1. Graham\, S\, et a l.\, 2019\, Carbohydrate Polymers\, 207\, p.143-159.\n2. Otto\, S\, et al. \, 2021\, Carbohydrate Polymers\, 254\, p.117280.\n\nhttps://events.synchr otron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4210/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4210/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Synthesis and structural characterisation of novel perovskite-type Na-ion conductors DTSTART:20211125T073200Z DTEND:20211125T073300Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4217@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Frederick Yang (University of Sydney)\, Siegbert Sch mid\, Yun Liu (The Australian National University)\, Anita D'Angelo (Austr alian Synchrotron)\, Vanessa Peterson (ANSTO)\n\nThe development of new so lid electrolytes is becoming increasingly important\, e.g.\, for rechargea ble batteries for electric vehicles\, where current liquid organic electro lytes cause major safety concerns. Some ABO3 perovskite metal oxides have shown excellent lithium and sodium ion conductivity owing to their chemica l and structural flexibility. This has led to the development of several p erovskite-type solid electrolytes such as Li3xLa2/3-xTiO3 (LLTO) and Na1/2 -xLa1/2-xSr2xZrO3 (NLSZ)\, which have shown high ionic conductivities [1-3 ].\nStarting from the x = 1/6 member of NLSZ\, a new series of sodium pero vskite-type solid electrolytes with the formula Na1/3La1/3-x/3Sr1/3Zr1-xNb xO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) (NLSZN) was synthesised. Structural characterisation was carried using a combination of synchrotron and neutron powder diffrac tion data\, which revealed both first- and second-order phase transitions as a function of temperature. For some samples the symmetry appeared highe r in synchrotron data than neutron data\, owing to the higher relative sen sitivity of neutron data to scattering from oxygen atoms in the structure [4]. As observed for other defect perovskites\, there is a tendency to hig her symmetry with increasing A-site vacancy concentration [5].\n\n[1] Y. I naguma\, L.Q. Chen\, M. Itoh\, T. Nakamura\, T. Uchida\, H. Ikuta\, M. Wak ihara\, Solid State Commun. 86\, 689–693 (1993).\n[2] Y.Z. Zhao\, Z.Y. L iu\, J.X. Xu\, T.F. Zhang\, F. Zhang\, X.G. Zhang\, J. Alloy. Compd. 783\, 219–225 (2019).\n[3] F. Z. T. Yang\, V. K. Peterson\, S. Schmid\, J. Al loy. Compd. 863\, 158500 (2021). \n[4] S. Schmid\, R. L. Withers. J. Solid State Chem. 191\, 63 ─ 70 (2012). \n[5] T. A. Whittle\, W. R. Brant\, J . R. Hester\, Q. Gu.\, S. Schmid\, Dalton Trans. 46\, 7253 ─ 7260 (2017) .\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4217/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4217/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:New insight in corrosion mechanisms of nuclear fuel cladding using synchrotron x-rays DTSTART:20211126T042000Z DTEND:20211126T044000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4391@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Preuss (Monash University)\n\nIn water-coole d nuclear reactors zirconium alloys have been the material of choice to en capsulate the fuel due to a combination of low neutron cross-section\, exc ellent corrosion performance and good mechanical properties. However\, fue l cladding performance\, or our ability to predict its performance\, remai ns the limiting factor in an effort to push for increased fuel burnup\, i. e. the energy extracted from a fuel assembly before it is removed from the core.\nAqueous corrosion\, and the associated hydrogen pick up\, remains one of the limiting factors to take nuclear fuel assemblies to higher fuel burnup. Even slight variation in alloy chemistry is known to greatly affe ct the corrosion performance of a Zr-alloy. Michael will discuss the appli cation of synchrotron x-ray diffraction and scattering techniques together with other advanced characterisation techniques to provide new understand ing of the integrity and therefore passivation capability of the oxide tha t forms during aqueous corrosion.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/eve nt/146/contributions/4391/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4391/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Self-Assembly of Carbon Dioxide Nonionic Surfactants in Ionic Liqu ids DTSTART:20211125T073300Z DTEND:20211125T073400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4214@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Gregory Warr (The University of Sydney)\, Michael Gr adzielski (TU Berlin)\, Shurui Miao (The University of Sydney)\n\nThe dive rse and tuneable intermolecular interactions present in ionic liquids (ILs ) make them excellent media for surfactant self-assembly. Previous studies of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether nonionic surfactants\, in ethylammonium n itrate and propylammonium nitrate have shown they can support the full ran ge of amphiphilic self-assembly behaviour of nonionic surfactants for vari ous applications. However\, the head group of these nonionic surfactant\, ethylene oxide (EO)\, is a petrochemical product\, prompting us to seek bi o-renewable substitutes\, amongst which carbon dioxide stands out. Recent studies of nonionic surfactants incorporating CO2 (partly substituted for EO) have shown they are promising surface-active molecules. Small angle ne utron scattering (QUOKKA\, ANSTO) showed a single CO2 unit per surfactant can have an enormous impact on phase behaviour of dodecyl surfactants in w ater. The formation of gel-like liquid crystalline phases was completely s uppressed through reduced hydration of the headgroups. This study is direc ted at understanding self-assembly behaviour of CO2 nonionic surfactants i n ILs. We have examined the structure of surfactant-IL solutions using sma ll angle neutron scattering as a function of surfactant concentration\, so lvent composition and temperature. Results shown that unlike water\, solva tion of nonionic headgroup is mostly unaffected by incorporation of CO2 un its in pure ILs. However\, this can be easily regulated through water dilu tion or mixing ILs. This demonstrates the composition of surfactant headgr oup and the solvent can be used as tools to engineer solvent-headgroup int eractions in formulating non-aqueous soft matter.\n\nhttps://events.synchr otron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4214/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4214/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Scaling behaviour of the skyrmions lattices in Cu2OSeO3 single cry stals from small angle neutron scattering DTSTART:20211125T073400Z DTEND:20211125T073500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4231@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jorge Arturo Sauceda Flores (School of Physics\, Uni versity of New South Wales\, Sydney 2052\, Australia)\, Clemens Ulrich (Th e University of New South Wales)\, Samuel Yick (UNSW and ANSTO)\, Oleg Tre tiakov (UNSW)\, Rosanna Rov (University of Auckland)\, Joel O'Brien\, Elli ot Gilbert (ANSTO)\, Md Firoz Pervez (School of Physics\, University of Ne w South Wales (UNSW))\, Tilo Soehnel (The University of Auckland)\, Martin Spasovski (University of Auckland)\n\nSkyrmions are topologically protect ed spin vortices in the nanometre scale that behave like particles. In chi ral crystals\, competing magnetic interactions may induce 2D skyrmion latt ices [1-2]. In the multiferroic insulator Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$\, the skyrmion la ttice responds to electric/magnetic fields suggesting applications in data storage [3]. These applications crucially depend on the stability conditi ons of the skyrmion phase. Notably\, Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ is the only material i n which the appearance of two different skyrmion phases has been reported in its phase diagram. However\, the quantum mechanisms of these phases and their thermodynamic connection are still under debate [4-6]. Hence\, we u sed Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Lorentz Transmission Electron Micro scopy to study the skyrmion stabilisation in single crystals of Cu$_2$OSeO $_3$ [7]. In this work\, we report the field\, temperature\, and sample al ignment dependence of the scaling behaviour of skyrmions as an order param eter for the emergence of the two skyrmion phases.\n\n[1] S. Muehlbauer et al.\, Science 323\, 915 (2009)\n[2] S. Seki\, X. Z. Yu\, S. Ihiwata\, and Y. Tokura\, Science 336\, 198 (2009)\n[3] A. Fert\, N. Reyren\, V. Cros\, Nat. Rev. Mats. 2\, 01731 (2017)\n[4] A. Chacon\, L. Heinen et al.\, Nat. Phys. 14\, 936-941 (2018)\n[5] F. Qian\, L. J. Bannenberg et al.\, Sci. A dv. 4\, eaat7323 (2018)\n[6] L. J. Bannenberg\, H. Wilhelm et al.\, npj Qu antum Mater. 4\, 11 (2019)\n[7] M.-G. Han\, et al.\, Sci. Adv. 6\, eaax213 8 (2020)\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4231 / LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4231/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural basis of higher-order assembly formation in Toll-like r eceptor 1\,2 and 6 signaling pathway DTSTART:20211125T073500Z DTEND:20211125T073600Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4202@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Bostjan Kobe\, YAN LI (The University of Queensland) \, Jeffrey D Nanson\n\nInnate immunity represents a typical and widely dis tributed form of immunity. Innate immune responses are the first line of d efense against pathogens\, which can help destroy invaders invertebrate an imals\, invertebrates\, and plants. The innate immune system recognizes mi croorganisms via pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). The family of Toll- like receptors (TLRs) is a distinct group of PRRs. They detect the microbi al components known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)\, ac tivate downstream transcription factors such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB )\, resulting in a pro-inflammatory response. 10 TLRs have been identified in the human TLR family. In humans\, TLR2 can form heterodimers with TLR1 and TLR6 when binding different types of ligands. The cytoplasmic Toll/in terleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain can be found in all TLRs and is responsi ble for transmitting extracellular signals to intracellular cytoplasmic TI R domain-containing adaptor proteins through TIR: TIR domain interactions\ , thus initiating downstream signaling. Two TIR-domain containing adaptor proteins\, Myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) and MyD88 a daptor-like (MAL) mediate downstream signaling in the TLR2-TLR1/6 signalin g pathway. It has been previously demonstrated that higher-order assembly formation occurs in the TLR4 signaling pathway. The mechanism\, which is k nown as signaling by cooperative assembly formation (SCAF)\, may occur in all TLR signal transduction. To date\, the transduction mechanisms of TLR2 -TLR1/6 signaling are still unclear. This research aims to determine the s tructural basis of higher-order assemblies formed by TIR domains with a fo cus on assemblies in the TLR2-TLR1/6 signaling.\n\nhttps://events.synchrot ron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4202/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4202/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:X-ray structure of a transmembrane domain from an ABC-transporter dependent system from Neisseria meningitidis in a non-biological state DTSTART:20211125T073700Z DTEND:20211125T073800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4200@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Alice Vrielink (University of Western Australia)\, L uke Smithers (University of Western Australia)\, Lorelei Masselot--Joubert (University of Western Australia)\n\nMolecular replacement (MR) is the mo st commonly used method in crystallography to solve the phase problem requ ired to obtain the three dimensional structure of a protein. Traditionally MR uses a search model from a previously determined protein structure. On e of the requirements for success by MR is that the amino acid sequences o f the search model and the unknown structure should be have at least 35 % identity. When this is not possible\, an *ab initio* model can be generate d using the sequence of the unsolved protein. In this project\, we used th e algorithm\, tr-Rosetta\, from the Rosetta server to obtain *ab initio* m odels used for use in MR.\nCtrC is part of an ABC transporter dependent co mplex in *Neisseria meningitis*\, important for capsule polysaccharide tra nsport. It constitutes the transmembrane domain and associates with a sepa rate nucleotide binding domain\, CtrD\, making a heterotetramer. CtrC\, h as been crystallised using the lipidic cubic phase (LCP) method. After dat a collection using the MX2 beamline at the Australian Synchrotron\, the st ructure has been solved at 2.87 Å by MR using an *ab initio* derived sear ch model. \nThe structure of CtrC shows a monomeric arrangement in the cry stal lattice\, unusual for an ABC transporter. A single molecule of the m onoolein lipid used in the LCP matrix was found bound within the protein s tructure. We hypothesize that the presence of the monoolein ligand\, and possibly the absence of CtrD\, abrogates the ability of CtrC to form the e xpected dimeric structure.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/ contributions/4200/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4200/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Size\, shape and colloidal stability of fluorescent nanodiamonds i n aqueous suspension DTSTART:20211125T073800Z DTEND:20211125T073900Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4236@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: philipp Reineck\, samir samir eldemrdash (School of science\, RMIT University\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3001\, Australia)\, Gary Bryant (Centre for Molecular and Nanoscale Physics\, School of Science\, RMIT University\, Melbourne\, Victoria 3001\, Australia.)\n\nFluorescent n anodiamonds (FNDs) containing negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV–) centres have outstanding optical\, photostability and spin properties whic h make them promising candidates as nanoscale sensors\, and for quantum co mputing and bioimaging in biological media.\n\nThe location of NV atoms re lative to the surface of the particles is essential for these applications – if the NV atoms are buried too deeply\, this will lead to lower brigh tness3. To optimize these properties\, the particles must either be small or must have at least one dimension which is thin (eg plate shaped particl es). The size and shape are therefore vital parameters to be investigated. Our collaborators4 examined the size effect on the optical properties of a wide range of FND particles\, however\, their 3D structure and colloidal stability have not been widely studied and are not well understood.\n \nH ere\, we systematically investigate the 3D shape of FNDs in water for a ra nge of sizes and investigate the colloidal stability of these particles us ing dynamic light scattering\, depolarised dynamic light scattering and sy nchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Initial (SAXS) result s suggest an interesting relation between the reported shape\, DLS size of FND particles and emitted fluorescence.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org .au/event/146/contributions/4236/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4236/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Breaking boundaries\, or is it? Physical disruption at the nano- a nd micro scales for an in situ flow setup DTSTART:20211125T073900Z DTEND:20211125T074000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4227@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Charlotte Conn (RMIT)\, Meltem Bayrak\, Andrew Whitt en (ANSTO)\, Amy Logan (CSIRO)\, Juliane Floury (STLO\, INRAE)\, Jitendra Mata (ANSTO)\n\nFor various soft and hard matter systems\, reduction in sa mple particle size could be an effective method for producing homogeneous samples\, eliminating trapped air bubbles\, facilitating sample preparatio n (e.g.\, gel loading)\, or meeting the requirements of a specific sample environment. Due to the experimental constraints of small-angle scattering \, such as the limited width (1 or 2 mm) of the sample cell\, time-depende nt characterisation of larger samples in real time is often not possible. Physical disruption of samples into smaller sized particles at a macro sc ale would allow simultaneous characterisation of a variety of systems\, su ch as facilitating the flow of polymers\, gels\, aggregates\, and minerals . While physical crushing or blending may appear to be a straightforward s olution to the problem\, a lack of knowledge about the effect on the nano- and microstructure precludes its widespread adoption.\n\nIn this study\, a yoghurt-like transglutaminase-induced acid gel (TG)\, was blended as a m ethod of disruption\, allowing the gel particles to flow freely in the new ly developed recirculated flow set-up designed for the *in situ* analysis of gel devolution over time. The study has demonstrated that mechanical di sruption to form TG particle distributions within the 5-6 µm to ~3.5 mm s ize range had no effect on the micro- and nanostructure of the gel. This w ork could benefit several studies\, including dynamics of hydrogel swellin g\, characterisation of particles in motion\, digestion or changes in stru cture when exposed to different environmental conditions\, as well as the implementation of newly developed setups in several neutron scattering stu dies.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4227/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4227/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural characterization of SARS-Cov-2 spike derived peptides p resented by the Human Leukocyte Antigen A*29:02. DTSTART:20211125T074700Z DTEND:20211125T074800Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4365@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christopher Szeto (Monash University)\, Lawton Murdo lo (La Trobe University)\, Stephanie Gras (Monash University)\n\nThe rapid emergence of SARS-Cov-2 out of Wuhan\, China\, in late 2019 has resulted in the current outbreak that has crippled social and economic development worldwide. With over four million deaths\, significant efforts are being m ade to generate a viable treatment option. It has been well established th at T lymphocytes destroy infected cells. These T cells also produce long l asting immunity through the proliferation of memory cells which recognize future viral invasion.\n\nActivation of T lymphocytes is achieved through the recognition of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) surface receptors on inf ected cells. These HLA molecules present viral peptides to T cells which a re able to recognize and activate against these antigens. \n\nHowever\, du e to the highly polymorphic nature of HLA molecules\, it remains unclear h ow different peptides bind to the vast number of HLA molecules affect the stimulation of the adaptive immune response. \n\nThe focus of this project is on a singular HLA\, HLA-A*29:02\, found in approximately 3% of the wo rld’s population. We wish to structurally analyse various peptides prese nted by HLA-A*29:02 derived from the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein and determin e how COVID-19 variants and their mutations might different in their prese ntation to T cells. \n\nThrough the use of X-ray crystallography\, we will gain deeper insights into how theses peptides are presented. This will fu rther our understanding of how our own immune system responds to these ant igens and may also help to in designing long lasting therapies such as pep tide vaccines.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribution s/4365/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4365/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Effects of Mn and Co Ion Implantation on Pseudocapacitive Performa nce of Ceria-Nanostructures on Ni-Foam DTSTART:20211125T075000Z DTEND:20211125T075100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4368@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Xiaoran Zheng (UNSW)\, Sajjad S. Mofarah (UNSW)\, Vi enna Wong (UNSW)\, Armand J. Atanacio (ANSTO)\, Ewing Y. Chen (UNSW)\, Zel jko Pastuovic (ANSTO)\, Charles C. Sorrell (UNSW)\, Pramod Koshy (UNSW)\n\ nMetal oxides have shown incredible potential as electrode materials for p seudocapacitive applications due to their high capacitance\, good conducti vity\, electrochemical reversibility\, and long cyclability. Through the engineering and manipulation of defect types and their concentrations\, it is possible to enhance the kinetics of charge transfer and charge-dischar ge process to optimize redox and intercalation capacitances. Ion implanta tion is an advanced technique to uniformly introduce a desired concentrati on of dopants into nanostructures. The present work explores the pseudoca pacitive performance of nanostructured cerium oxide (ceria\, CeO2-x) films on nickel foam electrodes (synthesized using electrodeposition)\, followe d by implantation individually with Mn and Co ions. The implanted samples were annealed in nitrogen atmosphere to promote the diffusion and incorpo ration of implanted dopants in the ceria lattice and to modify the nanostr uctural features. The films were characterised using SEM\, EDS\, Raman sp ectroscopy\, and XPS analyses to determine the role of the mineralogy\, co mposition\, surface chemistry\, and nanostructure on the performance. The pseudocapacitive performance was determined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) \, charge-discharge\, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)\, and s tability tests. After preliminary CV testing\, the Co-implanted samples ( 1 x 1015 ions/cm2) annealed at 300℃ for 3 h in a nitrogen atmosphere sho wed an improvement in specific capacitance (495 F/g) compared to the non-i mplanted ceria samples (427 F/g).\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/eve nt/146/contributions/4368/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4368/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Radiation test of Rad-Hard ICs for space applications DTSTART:20211126T052500Z DTEND:20211126T054000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4381@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jafar Shojaii (The University of Melbourne)\, Ryan T an (The University of Melbourne)\, Zeljko PASTUOVIC (ANSTO)\n\nConventiona l Integrated Circuits (IC) are highly sensitive to radiation effects and c an operate only in environments with a very low level of radiation. High r adiation environments such as space need custom-designed ICs with dedicate d radiation-hardened architectures. Our research is focused on the develop ment and test of radiation-hardened ICs in nanoscale and ultra-low-power s emiconductor technologies for high radiation environments such as in space and particle physics experiments. The University of Melbourne and Ansto d eveloped a strategic collaboration to enable the ANSTO's heavy ion micropr obe beamline for radiation test of custom-designed ICs for space applicati ons. In our presentation\, we provide an overview of our collaboration out come and our roadmap for further developments in future.\n\nhttps://events .synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4381/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4381/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Nanoprobe beamline at the Australian Synchrotron: towards day #1\, July 2024 DTSTART:20211125T075100Z DTEND:20211125T075200Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4372@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Martin de Jonge (ANSTO)\, Michela Semeraro (Australi an Synchrotron)\, Nader Afshar (ANSTO\, Australian Synchrotron)\, Cameron Kewish (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nA hard x-ray Nanoprobe beamline is unde r construction at the Australian Synchrotron\, aiming to accept first user s for operation in July\, 2024. In this presentation we will outline the science case for the Nanoprobe along with the anticipated performance para meters and show examples of measurements that will be enabled by the facil ity. In particular\, core methods supported by the Nanoprobe include: tra ce elemental mapping and spectroscopy at the 60-300 nm length-scale using x-ray fluorescence\; absorption\, differential phase contrast and ptychogr aphy using x-ray transmission\, and\; SAXS/WAXS and micro-diffraction. \n \nA number of substantial challenges must be overcome in order to reach t he ultimate resolution\, and these will be described along with the optica l and operational design of the beamline. Cryogenic capabilities may pres ent too great a challenge for the first-generation implementation but are keenly desired and firmly on the instrument development curve. The Nanopr obe endstation instrument will be located within a purpose-built satellite building at around 100 m from the source location. Although still deep i n design phase\, we will outline the building design and welcome comment f rom future potential users of the beamline particularly with regards to th e instrument capabilities and the experimental support that is required fr om the ancillary services within the building and the larger Australian Sy nchrotron facility.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contrib utions/4372/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4372/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Completing the library of amino-acid neutron structures DTSTART:20211125T080000Z DTEND:20211125T080100Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4350@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Garry McIntyre (Australian Nuclear Science and Techn ology Organisation)\, Simon Parsons (University of Edinburgh)\, Jack Binns (RMIT University)\, Giulia Novelli (University of Edinburgh)\, Helen Mayn ard-Casely (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\n\nAcc urate neutron structures of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids that ar e the building blocks of proteins are key to investigations of polymorphis m\, condensed-phase NMR analysis\, periodic density-functional-theory calc ulations\, as restraints in X-ray protein refinements\, and as initial str uctures in the computer modelling of proteins. The first 16 members of th e family were determined in the 1970s by groups at Brookhaven National Lab oratory and the Indian Atomic Energy Laboratory\, but the last four proved to be elusive due to the lack of single crystals large enough for the mon ochromatic neutron diffractometers of the time. State-of-the-art reactor- based neutron Laue diffractometers\, such as Koala on OPAL\, allow high-pr ecision structural investigations of single crystals with volumes around 0 .1 mm3. This opens the door to completing the library of high-precision am ino-acid neutron structures.\n\nHere we describe variable-temperature stud ies of three naturally-occurring amino acids using Koala\, L-leucine [1] w hich is one of the four missing members and the two polymorphs of L-histid ine. The data on the orthorhombic form of L-histidine greatly improve on the precision of a previous monochromatic neutron study. The second\, mon oclinic\, form has been studied with neutrons for the first time [2]. Bot h studies were complemented by interaction-energy calculations using the P ixel method\, and\, for L-histidine\, Hirshfeld Atom Refinement against X- ray data at the same temperatures. The resulting neutron structures yield geometric parameters with sufficient precision and accuracy for inclusion in restraint libraries of macromolecular structure refinements.\n\nThe sea rch continues for neutron-quality crystals of L-isoleucine\, L-methionine and L-tryptophan.\n\n[1] J. Binns et al. Acta Cryst. B72 (2016) 885.\n[2] G. Novelli et al. Acta Cryst B. In press.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.or g.au/event/146/contributions/4350/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4350/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Accelerating Australia: Perspectives on future particle accelerato rs and their applications DTSTART:20211125T224500Z DTEND:20211125T231500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4388@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Suzie Sheehy (University of Melbourne)\n\nThere are over 50\,000 particle accelerators in the world used for everything from t reating cancer to finding out the secrets of the Universe. Australia has a long history in this area and excels in accelerator-based science: nowher e is this clearer than in the science carried out at our world-class infra structure. That said\, we have barely scratched the surface of what might be possible with beams of ions or electrons. Potential uses of particle be ams are growing every day – from mining to archaeology to high-tech fact ories – enabled by breakthroughs in accelerator science and technology. In light of this\, a new research group in accelerator physics was created at the University of Melbourne in 2019\, who collaborate with ANSTO in a number of areas: from compact X-band electron accelerators to next-generat ion particle therapy. In this talk I will give an overview of some of the vast array of applications of accelerators and introduce the cutting-edge accelerator development research now happening in Australia. With strong c ollaboration between end-users and accelerator experts\, together we can c reate a step-change in Australia’s capacity to deliver real-world impact using particle beams.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/cont ributions/4388/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4388/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Magnetoelastic coupling as a relaxation pathway for single ion mag nets observed using inelastic neutron scattering. DTSTART:20211124T002000Z DTEND:20211124T003500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4240@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dehong Yu (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Simone Calvello (The University of Melbourne)\, Colette B oskovic (University of Melbourne)\, Alessandro Soncini (University of Melb ourne)\, Maja Dunstan (University of Melbourne)\, Richard Mole (ANSTO)\n\n Single ion magnets (SIM's)\, are materials that show an energy barrier to spin reorientation without long range magnetic order. Such materials have been postulated to be useful as potential materials for high density data storage or to be used as Qubits. The origin of the effect lies in the cr ystal field splitting of the central lanthanoid ion. The determination of crystal field splitting has long been performed using INS and this has be en readily extended to SIM's [1]. In recent years the operating temperatu re of these SIM's has increased dramatically with magnetic hysteresis obse rved above liquid nitrogen temperatures [2]. The limiting factor is no lo nger the height of the energy barrier for reorientation\, but minimization of relaxation by varying methods such as quantum tunneling of magnetizati on and Orbach relaxation. Such phenomena have previously been shown to be measurable using INS and QENS techniques [3\,4\,5]. In our recent work w e have revisited the INS of Na9[Ho(W5O18)2] to analyse both the presence o r absence of a QENS signal to determine whether Orbach relaxation occurs [ 3]. We have also performed an analysis of the peak widths of the crystal field excitations and modelled these using a magnetoelastic model [4]. Th is reanalysis demonstrates that INS holds more information than just the e nergy scale of the system for single ion magnets.\n\n[1] M. A. Dunstan et al\, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 1089 (2019).\n[2] F-S. Guo\,e t al\, Science\, 362\, 1400 (2018)\n[3] M. Roepke\, et al\, Physical Revie w B\, 60\, 9793 (1999)\n[4] S.W. Lovesey\, U. Staub\, Physical Review B\, 61\, 9130 (2000)\n[5] M. Ruminy\, et. al\, Physical Review B 95\, 060414(R ) (2017)\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4240 / LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4240/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Total scattering: science that’s better than average DTSTART:20211124T003500Z DTEND:20211124T005000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4241@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Matilde Saura-Múzquiz (University of Sydney)\, Bren dan Kennedy (The University of Sydney)\, Chris Ling (University of Sydney) \, Bryce Mullens (University of Sydney)\, Alex Brown (The University of Sy dney)\, Frederick Marlton (University of Sydney)\n\nLocal-scale defects an d disorder are essential in the development of new advanced functional mat erials. However\, such features are often difficult to characterize and un derstand without suitable probes. Powder diffraction is a powerful techniq ue for understanding atomic structures\, however\, Bragg peaks alone are l imited to information regarding the “average” or long-range structure. The presence of local-scale disorder results in diffuse features that occ ur beneath and between the Bragg peaks. Hence\, the chracterisation of nan o-scale (0.1 – 3 nm) features in functional materials demands an alterna tive approach. \nTotal scattering involves the collection of both Bragg an d diffuse data over a wide Q-range. This can be Fourier transformed to gen erate the pair distribution function (PDF)\, which corresponds to an inter atomic histogram of atom-atom pairs in real space. Analyzing such data can enable the development of atomic models that capture the local- and long- range structural features. Such measurements require the use of high energ y x-rays and/or neutrons. With the development of the advanced diffraction and scattering beamline at the Australian synchrotron\, such measurements will become viable in Australia. \nThis presentation will show case clear -cut examples of the application of total scattering in materials chemistr y. This will show the necessity for local structure analysis in developing a complete understanding of structure-property relationships.\n\nhttps:// events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4241/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4241/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformations of Metal–Organi c-Framework-Supported\, Site-Isolated Trigonal-Planar Cu(I) Complexes with Labile Ligands DTSTART:20211124T005000Z DTEND:20211124T010500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4243@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris Sumby (University of Adelaide)\, Ricardo Peral ta (University of Adelaide)\n\nTransition-metal complexes bearing labile l igands can be difficult to isolate and study in solution because of unwant ed dinucleation or ligand substitution reactions. Metal–organic framewor ks (MOFs) provide a unique matrix that allows site isolation and stabiliza tion of well-defined transition-metal complexes that may be of importance as moieties for gas adsorption or catalysis. \n\nHerein we report the deve lopment of an in situ anion metathesis strategy that facilitates the posts ynthetic modification of Cu(I) complexes appended to a porous\, crystallin e MOF. By exchange of coordinated chloride for weakly coordinating anions in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) or ethylene\, a series of labile M OF-appended Cu(I) complexes featuring CO or ethylene ligands are prepared and structurally characterized using X-ray crystallography. These complexe s have an uncommon trigonal planar geometry because of the absence of coor dinating solvents. The porous host framework allows small and moderately s ized molecules to access the isolated Cu(I) sites and displace the “plac e-holder” CO ligand\, mirroring the ligand-exchange processes involved i n Cu-centered catalysis.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/co ntributions/4243/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4243/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Deuteration of Rec1-Resilin and its hydrogel for biomedical applic ations DTSTART:20211124T010500Z DTEND:20211124T012000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4245@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Naba Dutta\, Namita Choudhury\, Nisal Wanasingha\, R ajkamal Balu\, Agata Rekas\, Jitendra Mata\n\nRec1-resilin is a highly hyd rophilic protein that exudes a vast range of multi-responsiveness\, well k nown for its superelasticity. Self-assembly of Rec1-resilin has been studi ed in vitro\, however\, it is difficult to understand the interaction and molecular organisation of the protein with varying biological environments due to the presence of complex systems. Therefore\, it is critical to syn thesise Rec1-resilin in deuterated form\, which would enable a unique neut ron scattering length density for neutron scattering experiments. With a v iew to understand the self-assembly and co-assembly of Rec1-resilin and ta ilor its responsiveness\, we successfully synthesised deuterated Rec1-resi lin using a modified protocol. Utilising this modified protocol\, we hope to develop modular versions of Rec1-resilin with hydrophobic segment to ex plore its unique properties from its conformational structure\, binding an d organisation with complementary and contrasting neutron scattering techn iques with intentions to develop biomimetic gels for adhesion and repair o f tissue. Ultimately\, this will show the impact of deuteration on the pro tein through a comparison of the structure and organisation of the deutera ted and unlabelled modular versions of Rec1-resilin in different environme nts\, which will not only provide a fundamental understanding of phase beh aviour but also lead to utilisation of isotopically-labelled modular Rec1- resilin protein and its hydrogels for biomedical applications.\n\nhttps:// events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4245/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4245/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Interfacial spin-structures in Pt/Tb3Fe5O12 bilayer films on Gd3Ga 5O12 substrates DTSTART:20211124T012000Z DTEND:20211124T013500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4248@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: W. T. Lee\, Xin-Ren Yang\, J.M. Liang\, David Corti e\, Ko-Wei Lin\, Chi Wah Leung\, Roshni Yadav\, Zengi Yue\, David Mitchel l\, Abdulhakim Bake\, Y. K. Liu\n\nThe insulating ferrimagnets of rare-ear th iron garnets (ReIG) are researched intensively owing to their strong ma gneto-electric responses. Proximity coupling between an insulating ReIG an d a heavy metal\, such as Pt has been shown to lead to an Anomalous Hall e ffect (AHE). Amongst the ReIG family\, TbIG is less explored than the well -known YIG films. In this article\, we report thin films (40 nm) of ferrim agnetic insulator Tb3Fe5O12 (TbIG) were grown on (111) oriented Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG) substrates by using pulsed laser deposition technique\, some of whic h were capped by a thin Pt layer. Scanning transmission electron microscop y and X-ray diffraction show that the oxide films are epitaxial with high crystalline quality and sharp interfaces. Detailed polarized neutron refle ctometry was used to study the spin structure above\, below and near the c ompensation to search for interfacial spin effects. The neutron reflectivi ty with different states (spin up (R+) and spin down (R-)) and the spin as ymmetry (SA = (R+ - R-)/ (R+ + R-)) shows trends above 100 K consistent wi th the weak ferrimagnetic moment and compensation point. Remarkably\, the PNR spectra at 7 K shows additional splitting of R+ and R- indicating stro ng magnetization on the magnetic film showing a new magnetic layer that ar ise\, additional STEM mapping elucidate that this additional layer occurs at the TbIG/GGG interface\, where a chemical difference in the ratio of Gd :Ga occurs as product of the growth conditions. This effect appears in bot h capped and Pt-free TbIG films. Reversal of AHE sign occurred between 14 5 K and room temperature. The peculiar behavior of AHE loop around 220 K i s related to the compensation point of TbIG.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron .org.au/event/146/contributions/4248/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4248/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Shape of nanopores in track-etched polycarbonate membranes DTSTART:20211125T002000Z DTEND:20211125T003500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4244@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Patrick Kluth (Australian National University)\, Chr istian Notthoff (The Australian National University)\, Pavel Apel (Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions\, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)\, Shankar Dutt (Australian National University)\, Christina Trautmann (GSI H elmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung \; Technische Universtät Darmst adt)\, Qi Wen (Australian National University)\, Nigel Kirby (Australian S ynchrotron)\, Nikolay Lizunov (Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions\, Jo int Institute for Nuclear Research)\, Pablo Mota-Santiago (Deakin Universi ty\, Australian Synchrotron)\n\nSmall angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has be en used over the past decade for characterizing track etched nanopores in a variety of organic and inorganic materials. In the present study\, synch rotron based SAXS was used to study the morphology and size variation of t he nanopores in polycarbonate (PC) as a function of the etching time and i on fluence. The shape of the nanopores fabricated through track-etch techn ology was found to be consistent with cylindrical pores with ends tapering off towards the two polymer surfaces in the last ~1.6 μm. The tapered st ructure of the nanopores in track-etched PC membranes was first observed m ore than 40 years ago followed by many other studies suggesting that the s hape of nanopores in PC membranes deviates from a perfect cylinder and nan opores narrow towards both membrane surfaces. However\, quantification of the shape of nanopores has remained elusive due to inherent difficulties i n imaging the pores using microscopy techniques. This study reports on the quantitative measurement of the tapered structure of nanopores using SAXS [1]. Determination of this structure was enabled by obtaining high-quality SAXS data and the development of appropriate form-factor model. The etch rates for both the radius at the polymer surface and the radius of the por e in bulk were calculated. Both etch rates decrease slightly with increasi ng fluence. This behavior is ascribed to the overlap of track halos which are characterized by cross-linking of the polymer chains. The results enab le a better understanding of track-etched membranes and facilitate improve d pore design for many applications.\n\nReferences:\n[1] Dutt\, S. et al. J. Membr. Sci. 638\, 119681 (2021)\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ev ent/146/contributions/4244/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4244/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Good vibrations: phonons in topological thermoelectrics DTSTART:20211124T043000Z DTEND:20211124T045000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4397@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: David David Cortie\n\nThermoelectric materials harne ss a temperature gradient to produce a voltage via the Seebeck effect\, pr oviding a way to harvest and recycle heat. Recently a new generation of th ermoelectrics has been developed that offer unprecedented performance by l everaging topological physics. The key to their functionality is their ro bust high electronic conductivity in tandem with their low thermal conduct ivity. The latter can be engineered by controlling the lattice vibrations or “phonons”. Here I will discuss recent neutron spectroscopy experime nts at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering\, ANSTO\, which offer unique insights into the differences between “good” optical and “bad ” acoustic phonon vibrations in thermoelectrics. I will show how these e xperiments are complemented by large-scale molecular dynamic simulations o n the GADI supercomputer within the National Computing Infrastructure. Tim e permitting\, I will also briefly demonstrate how we use the Centre for A ccelerator Science and neutron reflectometry to enable surface-engineering in these novel crystals for microelectronic applications.\n \n\nReference s:\nN. Islam\, D. L. Cortie et\, Acta Materialia 215\, 117026 (2021)\nW. Z hao\, Cortie\, Wang et al\, Physical Review B 104 (8)\, 085153 (2021)\nD.L et al. Cortie Applied Physics Letters 116 (19)\, 192410 (2020)\n\nhttps:/ /events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4397/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4397/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:In-situ X-ray diffaction for hydrogen sorption study of Mg-La allo ys DTSTART:20211124T030000Z DTEND:20211124T031500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4251@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Yahia Ali (School of Mechanical and Mining Engineeri ng\, University of Queensland)\, Manjin Kim\, Stuart McDonald (The Univer sity of Queensland)\, Xin Fu Tan (University of Queensland)\, Syo Matsumur a (Department of Applied Quantum Physics and Nuclear Engineering\, Kyushu University)\, Kazuhiro Nogita (The University of Queensland)\, Qinfen Gu ( Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\n\nTrace Na additions can enhance the reac tion kinetics of Mg-5%La (wt.%) alloys\, resulting in a potential hydrogen storage material. In this study\, we used in-situ synchrotron Powder X-ra y Diffraction (PXRD) to examine the hydrogen sorption behaviour of the Na- modified Mg-5%La. A setup equipped with a hydrogen gas flow cell and a hot air blower at the Powder Diffraction beamline of the Australian Synchrotr on facility is used to allow for PXRD data collection during hydrogen sorp tion reactions to study the phase evolutions and the cyclability of the al loy. To shed light on the underlying processes during the reactions\, in-s itu desorption and absorption were performed in a hydrogen atmosphere betw een 30-480 °C and atmospheric pressure to 2MPa H2. Rietveld refinement wa s conducted using the TOPAS-Academic V6 software to calculate the weight p ercentage and lattice expansion of each phase in the sample. In addition\, in-situ High Voltage Transmission Electron Microscopy (HVTEM) was used as a complementary technique to study the volume expansion properties during desorption as a function of temperature.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.or g.au/event/146/contributions/4251/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4251/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Natural ageing behaviour in Al-Cu alloys containing Sc and Zr DTSTART:20211124T031500Z DTEND:20211124T033000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4252@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lu Jiang (Deakin University)\, Thomas Dorin (Institu te for Frontier Materials)\, Robert Knott (ANSTO)\, Kathleen Wood (Austral ian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)\, Anna Sokolova (Dr)\n\nT he 2xxx series Al-Cu alloys have been extensively used as engineering stru ctures and components of lightweight vehicles due to their excellent stren gth-to-weight ratio. Recent research has demonstrated that further substan tial enhancement in the strength of Al-Cu alloys could be achieved by addi ng Sc and Zr by forming nano-sized Al3(Sc\, Zr) dispersoids. However\, fur ther development and manufacturing of these new Sc and Zr-containing Al-Cu alloys are limited by a lack of basic understanding of the effect of Al3( Sc\, Zr) dispersoids on the microstructural evolution during room temperat ure storage after quenching from solution treatment (called natural ageing ). In this work\, therefore\, we have studied the effect of Al3(Sc\, Zr) d ispersoids on natural ageing behaviour in an Al-4wt.%Cu-0.1wt.%Sc-0.1wt.%Z r alloy using small-angle neutron and x-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS). Th e hardness measurement shows that the presence of Al3(Sc\, Zr) dispersoids significantly delays the natural ageing kinetics of Al-Cu alloys. SANS wa s used to quantify the size distribution of Al3(Sc\, Zr) dispersoids which is ~ 25 ± 3 nm. In-situ SAXS results show that the presence of Al3(Sc\, Zr) dispersoids results in a significant delay in the solute clustering fo rmation during natural ageing. This is attributed to the suppression of th e natural ageing kinetics in the Al-Cu-Sc-Zr alloys. These results were co nfirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high resolution tra nsmission electron microscopy (TEM). The suppression mechanism is hypothes ized to come from the dispersoids and Sc solute acting as vacancy sinks wh ich slows down the diffusion of solute at room temperatures.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4252/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4252/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Magnetic Nanochain Formation Studied by Small-Angle Scattering DTSTART:20211124T033000Z DTEND:20211124T034500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4249@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Artem Feoktystov (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)\, Mikhail Feygenson (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)\, Thomas Brückel (Fors chungszentrum Jülich GmbH)\, Nileena Nandakumaran (Forschungszentrum Jül ich GmbH)\, Lester Barnsley (ANSTO)\, Elliot Paul Gilbert (ANSTO)\, Tobias Köhler (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)\n\nSelf-assembly of magnetic nan oparticles is of interest due to the broad range of applications in materi al science and biomedical engineering. Parameters that affect self-assembl y in nanoparticles include particle size\, the applied magnetic field prof ile\, concentration and synthesis routines. A range of different sizes of magnetic nanoparticles between 5 and 27 nm were investigated using polariz ed small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) at the KWS-1 instrument operated by the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Z entrum (MLZ) in Garching\, Germany and the Quokka instrument operated by t he Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS) at ANSTO in Lucas Heigh ts\, Australia. Iron oxide nanoparticles were dispersed in toluene and mea sured at room temperature in applied fields between ±2.2 T. The observed self-assembly strongly depended on both nanoparticle size and applied fiel d. For smaller particles (diameter ≤ 20 nm) there was no indication of s elf-assembly\, while 27 nm nanoparticles assemble into linear chains even in low concentrations (0.42% v/v) and low field (4 mT).\n\nThe magnetizati on profile within the cores of the smaller nanoparticles could be extracte d with high-resolution when using a spin-polarized incident neutron beam. For larger nanoparticle\, the structural and form factors were obtained by sector analysis of the 2-D SANS patterns. The extracted structure factors suggest that the chains grow longer and straighter and align more closely with the field direction up until application of the maximum field. This is understood in terms of a minimization of the dipole energy of the nanop articles in the presence of the applied field and neighbouring particles. Preliminary results from experiments studying self-assembly of more comple x nanoparticles (including gold-iron dumbbell nanoparticles) will be discu ssed.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4249/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4249/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:In-situ X-ray imaging of transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding in s older joints DTSTART:20211126T045500Z DTEND:20211126T051000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4336@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Hideyuki Yasuda (Kyoto University)\, Xin Fu Tan (Uni versity of Queensland)\, Stuart McDonald (The University of Queensland)\, Nurul Razliana Abdul Razak (The University of Queensland)\, Kazuhiro Nogi ta (The University of Queensland)\n\nThe demand for Pb-free solder interco nnections that can operate reliably at high service temperatures has motiv ated the development of transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding as an alterna tive soldering method. The capability of TLP bonding to be processed at a lower temperature while creating a joint composed of high melting temperat ure intermetallic compounds (IMCs) makes it a promising method. Sn/Cu-base d systems are commonly used in electronic packaging due to their low melti ng point and cost benefits. However\, the slow kinetics of the IMC growth and uncontrolled formation of porosity in Sn/Cu-based systems remain chall enging issues in practical applications. The addition of Ni to the Cu subs trate can minimize the time required for TLP bonding . In this study\, the rapid growth of (Cu\,Ni)6Sn5 during TLP bonding of Cu-Ni/Sn-0.7Cu/Cu-Ni j oints was observed in real-time using the synchrotron X-ray microradiograp hy technique at BL20XU beamline at SPring-8 Synchrotron\, Japan. The joint s were constructed to be approximately 100 μm thick to facilitate X-ray t ransmission and clamped in between silica slides to facilitate X-ray trans mission and held isothermally at 240 °C bonding until the reaction was c ompleted. The formation of voids and cracks and the kinetics of the TLP so ldering process were investigated using a monochromatised X-ray energy of 21 keV. These firsthand observations contributed to a better understanding of the creation and distribution of porosity\, which will aid in the deve lopment of high reliablility TLP bonding techniques for the production of high-temperature interconnections.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/ev ent/146/contributions/4336/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4336/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The use of variable temperature synchrotron XRD to characterise th e behaviour of low temperature solder alloys DTSTART:20211126T051000Z DTEND:20211126T052500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4337@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Stuart McDonald (The University of Queensland)\, Qi chao Hao (The University of Queensland)\, Qinfen Gu (Australian Synchrotro n (ANSTO))\, Keith Sweatman (Nihon Superior Co.\,Ltd)\, Xin Fu Tan (Univer sity of Queensland)\, Kazuhiro Nogita (The University of Queensland)\n\nDu ring the soldering process and the daily operation of the electronic devic es\, solder alloys experience temperature variation frequently. The mismat ch in volume expansion of the solder alloys and the interconnected compone nts can result in stresses which lead to failure. In a solder alloy system with high solubility of one element in another\, the effects of thermal e xpansion and temperature dependent solubility limits are both important co ntributing factors to the thermally induced volume changes. In this study\ , Sn-57wt%Bi and Sn-37wt%Bi alloys which are promising materials for low-t emperature solders were investigated by in-situ heating synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) to reveal the changes of the lattice parameters of Sn and Bi. \nThe lattice parameters were derived by the Rietveld refine ment of the PXRD patterns using TOPAS Academic V6 and following analyzed b y the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Analysis Suite (CTEAS) package usin g a tensor method to get the coefficient of the thermal expansion (CTE). D ensity functional theory (DFT) calculations were adopted to reveal the inf luence of the solid solution of Bi (or βSn) on the lattice parameters of βSn (or Bi)\, thereby decoupling the effects of thermal expansion and sol id solution of Bi (or βSn) on the thermally induced volume change of βSn (or Bi).\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/433 7/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4337/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:One layer at a time: Unlocking Novel Materials and Structures for Neutron Radiation Environments through Additive Manufacturing DTSTART:20211126T054000Z DTEND:20211126T055500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4383@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris Baldwin (ANSTO)\, David Cortie (The University of Wollongong)\, Jonathan Knott (University of Wollongong)\, Kirrily Rule (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering)\, Jackson Allen (UOW)\, Peter Innis (University of Wollongong)\, Stephen Beirne (University of Wollongon g)\n\nThe UOW-ANSTO Seed Funding program is an initiative aimed at encoura ging new collaborations between researchers at the University of Wollongon g and ANSTO - bringing together teams with diverse and complementary skill sets to tackle questions that require multi-disciplinary approaches. \n\nI n 2019\, a team of researchers from ANSTO's Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS)\, UOW's Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (A IIM) and the Translational Research Initiative for Cell Engineering and Pr inting (TRICEP) came together to tackle the question “*Can the structure s and materials made possible by additive manufacturing enable novel solut ions for neutron radiation environments?*”\n\nTo explore this question\, we undertook activities in three themes:\n\n - **THEME 1** – Polymers f or neutron shielding and collimation\n - **THEME 2** – Low-hydrogen poly mers for neutron sample environments\n - **THEME 3** – Metals and alloys for neutron sample environments\n\nThis presentation will discuss activit ies undertaken in these themes\, including:\n \n - **THEME 1**: investigat ing novel boron nitride/polyurethane materials developed by the UOW for us e in neutron shielding and collimation applications via experiments on the Taipan\, Pelican\, Bilby and Platypus facilities at ANSTO\; \n - **THEME 2**: the development of a custom low-hydrogen polymer (FEP) printing appar atus and optimised print procedure\, to our knowledge one of the first suc h facilities. This has resulted in the production of low-hydrogen sample h olders for use in ANSTO neutron environments\; and \n - **THEME 3**: lever aging the world-class facilities and expertise in metal additive manufactu ring at TRICEP to produce 'sample can' components in titanium and aluminiu m for validation and as a platform for future customised sample environmen t devices.\n\nThis presentation will also discuss possibilities and future plans for work in this exciting area.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.a u/event/146/contributions/4383/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4383/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Use of high-resolution technologies to understand the broken past DTSTART:20211125T023000Z DTEND:20211125T025000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4393@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ingrid Ward (University of Western Australia)\n\nOur understanding of material culture and past environmental contexts have be en utterly transformed over the last two decades by new and greatly improv ed scientific methods. Innovative investigations revolve around refinement of methods for chronological dating\, characterization and provenancing\, bioarchaeology\, geoarchaeology and the emerging sub-discipline of cyber- archaeology. As ever\, when dealing with the past\, 'meaning' remains more difficult and we are always be limited by what little we can know. With the help of multi-scalar\, high-resolution techniques\, there at least exi sts potential for useful and even groundbreaking information to be retriev ed from material culture\, the absence of which might inhere a sense of do ubt. This talk will illustrate some applications of science and technolog y that are proving valuable in Australian archaeology\, drawing from my ow n studies at ANSTO and the Australian Synchrotron as well as other novel m ulti-scientific projects. At the heart of these is an interdisciplinary a pproach and an aim to provide the most accurate understanding of the dynam ic past from what is often a very fragmentary record.\n\nhttps://events.sy nchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4393/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4393/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:How to take a perfect image with DINGO DTSTART:20211124T002000Z DTEND:20211124T003500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4311@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Joseph Bevitt (ANSTO)\, Simon Clark (Macquarie Unive rsity)\, Vili Grigorova (Macquarie University)\n\nNeutron tomography is a powerful non-destructive technique used to study the internal structure of opaque objects. Neutron images are obtained by exposing an object to a un iform neutron beam. The transmitted neutrons interact with a phosphor whic h converts from neutrons to visible light\, which is then demagnified on t o a CCD camera.\nThe modulation transfer function (MTF) is routinely used to determine the sharpness of an image\, i.e. the ability of the imaging s ystem to transfer information from an object to an image. The spatial freq uency (SF) is the rate of transition between light and dark features in th e image. For a perfect system where all of the frequency information is p assed from object to image equally\, the MTF of the will be 1 or 100% for all spatial frequencies and all features and contrast in the object will b e transferred to the image.\nWe performed a series of measurements to opti mise the time necessary to obtain high-resolution radiographs with the DIN GO instrument. We determined the MTF over a range of experimental conditio ns to understand the various contributions of DINGO’s imaging system var iables to radiograph resolution. The system components varied in this stud y are the two beam modes\, different scintillator screens\, and pixel reso lution of different cameras and lenses. We also compared the different exp osure times of the object to the neutron beam to try to understand the min imum exposure time that will generate good resolution radiographs. \nDeta ils of the use of this method for determining the quality of a neutron tom ographic imaging system will be presented and the MTF data will be used to determine the optimal operating arrangement.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotro n.org.au/event/146/contributions/4311/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4311/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Imaging and Medical Beamline is expanding DTSTART:20211124T003500Z DTEND:20211124T005000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4314@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\, Callan Morey (ANSTO)\, Jonathan McKinlay (ANSTO)\, Daniel Pelliccia (Inst ruments & Data Tools Pty Ltd)\n\nSynchrotron radiation has many advantages \, but it is also flawed. And its biggest flaw happens to be its fundament al intrinsic property! The radiation is emitted in the plane of the stored beam and we are stuck with the infamous ‘letterbox door’ beam profile . At least when not tinkering with focused undulator beams.\nIn clinical i maging research\, this beam shape is a serious disadvantage. In fact\, whe n compared with the field of view of commercial medical imaging devices\, it is often the showstopper when engaging with a clinician to discuss medi cal application of the IMBL.\nSo how will we image human patients in 2022\ , as part of our world leading research project in breast CT imaging and cancer detection? Our vertical ‘letter box opening’ at 135 meter is 3 cm\, at 35 keV\, with a roll off of 50%. This is far from ideal for imagin g the breasts of a patient lying in a prone position on our robotic positi oning and scanning stage. Consequently\, we have designed and tested a Bra gg-Bragg beam expander to be placed downstream of our double-bent-Laue pri mary monochromator. The net result is an 8 cm vertical beam profile at 135 meter\, with minimal roll off\, to match the vertical field of view of ou r new EIGER2 CdTe X 3M clinical detector.\nThis paper will present the des ign of our beam expander and the results of our in-air tests. This device will be installed in vacuum in the next machine shutdown.\n\nhttps://event s.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4314/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4314/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:X-ray dark-field imaging without optics DTSTART:20211124T031500Z DTEND:20211124T033000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4322@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Kaye Morgan (Monash University)\, Thomas Leatham (Mo nash University)\, David Paganin (School of Physics and Astronomy\, Monash University)\n\nX-ray image contrast can be generated via three mechanisms : (i) attenuation\, (ii) phase contrast and (iii) most recently\, the dark -field signal\, which arises due to the incoherent scattering of the incid ent x-ray wavefield by unresolved sub-pixel features (microstructure) pres ent in the sample. These contrast mechanisms can be realised using emergin g x-ray imaging techniques\, such as analyser-based and grid-based imaging \, each of which require the use of specialised optics and carefully align ed setups. In this work\, we focus on a technique which has not been used to capture quantitative dark-field contrast – propagation-based imaging . Propagation-based imaging requires no specialist optics and operates on the principle that phase variations induced in the x-ray wavefield by the sample manifest as intensity variations at the detector plane\, some metre s downstream\, due to the self-interference of the wavefield. We describe a new approach to analysing propagation-based images\, derived from the x -ray Fokker-Planck Equation\, which enables dark-field images to be extrac ted. All that is required is two exposures\, captured at two different pr opagation distances\, which enable our algorithm to separate phase and dar k-field effects to recover sample thickness and microstructure distributio n. We demonstrate\, using images captured at the Australian Synchrotron’ s Imaging and Medical Beamline\, that it is possible to capture dark-field images without having to introduce specialised optics or spend extensive time on optics alignment. This new technique could be applied to study bi omedical microstructures\, like the alveoli in the lung\, or manufactured parts\, capturing porosity or carbon fibre.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron. org.au/event/146/contributions/4322/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4322/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT) beamline at ANSTO/Australian Synch rotron: A progress report DTSTART:20211124T034500Z DTEND:20211124T040000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4330@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Prithi Tissa (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Azizi Rakman (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Ron Bosworth (Australian Synchrotr on)\, Harvey (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Stephen Oelofse (ANSTO/Austr alian Synchrotron)\, Adam Walsh (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Brent Gra ham (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Adam Michalczyk (Australian Synchrotr on)\, Jonathan McKinlay (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Jeff Lee (ANSTO/A ustralian Synchrotron)\, Jason Wirthensohn (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\ , Emily Griffin (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Benedicta Arhatari (Austr alian Synchrotron)\, Esmaeil Tabar (Australian Synchrotron)\, Sinem Ozbilg en (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Andrew Stevenson (Australian Synchrotr on)\, Rahul Banerjee (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Tom Fiala (Australia n Synchrotron)\, Craig Millen (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\, Nick Sarris (ANSTO/Australian Synchrotron)\n\nThe Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT) bea mline is one of the first new beamlines to be constructed at the Australia n Synchrotron as part of the BRIGHT program. MCT will complement the exis ting X-ray imaging/tomography capability provided by the Imaging and Medic al Beamline (IMBL)\, and will target applications requiring higher (sub-mi cron) spatial resolution and involving smaller samples. MCT will be a ben ding-magnet beamline\, operating in the 8 to 40 keV range\, based on a dou ble-multilayer monochromator. Filtered white and pink beams will also be available\, the latter utilising a single-(vertical)bounce mirror. MCT wi ll benefit from X-ray phase-contrast modalities (such as propagation-based \, grating-based and speckle) in addition to conventional absorption contr ast\, and be equipped with a robotic stage for rapid sample exchange. A h igher-resolution CT configuration based on the use of a Fresnel zone plate system will also be available. A number of sample environmental stages\, such as for high temperature and the application of loads\, are planned i n collaboration with certain groups in the user community.\n\nAnticipated application areas for non-destructive 3D sample characterisation include b iomedical/ health science\, food\, materials science\, and palaeontology. This presentation will provide an update on the progress of the MCT proje ct\, including the procurement of three state-of-the-art X-ray detector sy stems\, and the significant scientific-computing effort required to meet t he demands of this high-performance imaging beamline.\n\nhttps://events.sy nchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4330/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4330/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:A study of the intrinsic background from the Beryllium Filter Spec trometer on Taipan DTSTART:20211125T001500Z DTEND:20211125T003000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4315@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Anton Stampfl (Australian Nuclear Science and Techno logy Organisation)\n\nThe Beryllium filter spectrometer on Taipan is a low -energy band-pass spectrometer that employs a number of materials to effec tively scatter out neutrons of higher energies and transmit only neutrons in the energy range\, ef=1.2±0.5 meV. Here in this study the spectrometer response is studied in order to understand and identify the inherent back ground from the spectrometer itself.\n\nAmbient air and nickel are used as scatterers in this study as the former gives a reasonable detection limit of the spectrometer and the latter gives enough scatter to observe the in elastic signal but not too much to swamp out the inherent signal produced by the spectrometer itself. The background shape is found to be hull-like that reflects the total scattering cross-sections of the filter materials themselves and that of the copper cooling frame and the iron found in the stainless steel collimator. Furthermore the detailed inelastic signals fro m the last set of Beryllium blocks next to the detector bank are identifia ble as low intensity parts of the spectra. \n\nA simple experimental metho d using the collected spectra are used to identify features associated wit h scatter from the spectrometer and those from the sample under investigat ion which can then be used to potentially effectively strip-out the spectr ometer profile from collected spectra. Further work is discussed to minimi se the scatter generated from the spectrometer filter blocks and frames in order to reduce the background to the ultimate minimum limit.\n\nhttps:// events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4315/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4315/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High-Resolution Macro ATR-FTIR Chemical Imaging Capability at Aust ralian Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy (IRM) Beamline DTSTART:20211125T010000Z DTEND:20211125T011500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4324@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Keith Bambery (ANSTO)\, Annaleise Klein (ANSTO)\, Ma rk Tobin (ANSTO)\, Jitraporn (Pimm) Vongsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)\n\ nThis presentation aims to provide a summary on technical aspects and appl ications of our synchrotron macro ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy\, unique to t he Infrared Microspectroscopy (IRM) beamline at ANSTO–Australian Synchro tron.1 The device was developed by modifying the cantilever arm of a stand ard macro-ATR unit to accept Ge-ATR elements. Coupling synchrotron-IR beam to the Ge-ATR element (*n*=4)\, reduces the beam focus size by a factor o f 4 (improving lateral resolution)\, and the mapping step size by 4 times relative to the stage step motion. As a result\, the macro ATR-FTIR measur ement at our IRM beamline can be performed at minimum projected aperture ( sampling spot size) of 1-2 μm using a 20x objective\, and minimum mapping step size of 250 nm\, allowing high-resolution chemical imaging analysis with the resolution limit beyond those allowed for standard synchrotron-FT IR transmission and reflectance setups. \n\nThe technique has facilitated many experiments in a diverse range of research disciplinary. Here\, there will be presentations based on macro ATR-FTIR technique in archaeology\, electrochemistry (battery)\, biomedical and forensic sciences. Apart from these\, we will provide additional applications in the fields of food and pharmaceutical science\,2-4 single-fibre analysis\,5-6 and dentistry.7\n\n **References:**\n[1] J. Vongsvivut\, et al.\, *Analyst* **144**\, 10\, 322 6-323 (2019).\n[2] A.P. Pax\, et al.\, *Food Chemistry*\, **291**\, 214-22 2 (2019).\n[3] Y.P. Timilsena\, et al.\, *Food Chemistry*\, **275**\, 457- 466 (2019).\n[4] D.M. Silva\, et al.\, *Journal of Colloid and Interface S cience*\, **587**\, 499-509 (2021).\n[5] S. Nunna\, et al.\, *Journal of M aterials Chemistry A*\, **5**\, 7372-7382 (2017).\n[6] C. Haynl\, et al.\, *Scientific Reports*\, **10**\, 17624 (2020).\n[7] P.V. Seredin\, et al.\ , *International Journal of Molecular Sciences*\, **22**\, 6510 (2021).\n\ nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4324/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4324/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:High speed free-run ptychography at the Australian Synchrotron DTSTART:20211126T002000Z DTEND:20211126T003500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4318@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nicholas Phillips (LTU/CXS)\, Juliane Reinhardt\, Ma rtin de Jonge\, Gerard Hinsley\, Grant van Riessen (La Trobe University)\, Nader Afshar (ANSTO\, Australian Synchrotron)\, Cameron Kewish (Australia n Synchrotron)\, Michael Jones (QUT)\, Christoph Schrank (QUT)\n\nThe Aust ralian Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy (XFM) beamline has recent ly implemented fast-scanning ptychography\, a scanning X-ray diffraction m icroscopy method. Ptychography creates super-resolution images from transm itted microdiffraction patterns acquired as the sample is scanned through the beam. High-speed detectors and high-performance computers are required to iteratively reconstruct these complex images. The experimental methods and reconstruction algorithms have significantly evolved over the last de cade and a half into a mature and user-friendly complementary imaging meth od to XFM.\n\nHere we present the implementation of high speed ptychograph y at the XFM beamline\, which includes a free-run data collection mode whe re detector dead time is eliminated\, and the scan time is optimized. We s how that free-run data collection is viable for fast and high-quality ptyc hography by demonstrating extremely high data rate acquisition covering ar eas up to 352\,000 µm2 at up to 140 µm2/s\, with 18× spatial resolution enhancement compared to the beam size. With these improvements\, ptychogr aphy at velocities up to 250 µm/s is approaching speeds compatible with f ast-scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy. The combination of these metho ds provides morphological context for elemental and chemical information\, enabling unique scientific outcomes.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au /event/146/contributions/4318/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4318/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Medium Energy Spectroscopy (MEX) - Sample environments and support ing infrastructure DTSTART:20211126T003500Z DTEND:20211126T005000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4325@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Krystina Lamb (ANSTO)\, Simon James (Australian Sync hrotron)\, Emily Finch (Australian Synchrotron)\, Jeremy Wykes (Australian Synchrotron)\, Chris Glover (Australian Synchrotron)\n\nThe Medium Energy Spectroscopy (MEX) beamline aims to facilitate a wide variety of ex- and in-situ experimental work from a variety of research areas. As such\, we w ill provide a number of sample environments as standard set-up\, in additi on to ancillary equipment that can be used with custom or BYO sample envir onments. Sample environments will likely include\; room temperature cell\, electrochemical flow cell\, micro-fluidic cell\, flammable gas cell\, fur nace with gas environments\,and a battery testing cell. In addition\, supp orting infrastructure and ancillary equipment will likely include\; flamma ble and toxic gas handling (flow and pressure control)\, gas and vapor ven tilation\, electrochemical testing station (Autolab or similar)\, fluid (g as or vapour) syringe pumps with pressure monitoring. Most\, if not all\, of the sample environments and supporting infrastructure will be controlle d with the beamline systems\, enabling integration and triggering for maxi mum achievable automation of experiments.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.or g.au/event/146/contributions/4325/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4325/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Scattering or spectroscopy? Both! DTSTART:20211125T023000Z DTEND:20211125T025000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4394@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Chris McNeill (Monash University)\n\nIn this present ation I will discuss the development of resonant tender X-ray diffraction to study the molecular packing of semiconducting polymers. Semiconducting polymers are being developed for application in a wide range of optoelectr onic devices including solar cells\, LED and transistors. Being polymeric materials they offer advantages over traditional semiconductors including ease of processing and mechanical flexibility. Most semiconducting polymer s are semicrystalline\, with the way in which polymer chains pack strongly affecting their optoelectronic performance. Unlike small molecule crystal s whose structure can be directly solved using crystallographic methods\, semiconducting polymers are more disordered meaning that there are not eno ugh diffraction peaks available. To squeeze more information from the diff raction peaks that are present\, we have turned to resonant diffraction: B y varying the X-ray energy across an elemental absorption edge\, the varia tions in diffraction intensity that are observed can provide additional in formation. Also known as anomalous diffraction this technique has been app lied in other fields including protein crystallography. As many semiconduc ting polymers utilise sulfur as heteroatoms\, we have studied resonant dif fraction effects at the sulfur K-edge in the tender X-ray regime. Furtherm ore we have adopted a spectroscopic approach exploiting anisotropic near-e dge X-ray absorption features at the sulfur K-edge that produce highly ani sotropic resonant diffraction effects. This marrying of spectroscopy and s cattering enables us not only to infer information about the position of t he resonant atoms within the unit cell\, but also to deduce the orientatio n of molecular bonds and orbitals within the unit cell.\n\nhttps://events. synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4394/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4394/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Characterization of MOSFET sensors for dosimetry in alpha particle therapy DTSTART:20211124T045000Z DTEND:20211124T050500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4338@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Zeljko Pastuovic (Zeljko Pastuovic Centre for Accele rator Science\, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization\, ) \, Mitchell Lielkajis (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong\, )\, Vladimir Pan (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Rosenfeld Anatoly B. (Centre for Medical Radi ation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Joel Poder (St George Cancer C are Centre\, )\, Dylan Hill (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, Unive rsity of Wollongong)\, Fang-Yi Su (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Marco Petasecca (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Dean Cutajar (Centre for Medical Ra diation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Giordano Biasi (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Michael L.F. Lerc h (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong)\, Mich ael Jackson (Faculty of Medicine and Health\, Central Clinical School\, Un iversity of New South Wales)\, Bucci Joseph (St George Cancer Care Centre )\, Linh T. Tran (Centre for Medical Radiation Physics\, University of Wo llongong)\n\nAlpha particle therapy\, such as diffusing alpha-emitters rad iation therapy (DaRT) and targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT)\, exploits the short-range and high linear energy transfer (LET) of alpha particles to destroy cancer cells locally with minimal damage to surrounding healthy cells. Dosimetry for DaRT and TAT is challenging\, as their radiation sou rces produce mixed radiation fields of α particles\, β particles\, and γ rays. There is currently no dosimeter for real-time in vivo dosimetry o f DaRT or TAT. Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs ) have features that are ideal for this scenario. Owing to their compactne ss\, MOSFETs can fit into fine-gauge needle applicators\, such as those us ed to carry the radioactive seeds into the tumour. This study characterize d the response of MOSFETs designed at the Centre for Medical and Radiation Physics\, University of Wollongong. MOSFETs with three different gate oxi de thicknesses (0.55 µm\, 0.68 µm\, and 1.0 µm) were irradiated with a 5.5 MeV mono-energetic helium ion beam (He2+) using SIRIUS 6MV accelerator tandem at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANS TO) and an Americium-241 (241Am) source. The sensitivity and dose-response linearity were assessed by analysing the spatially resolved median energy maps of each device and their corresponding voltage shift values. The re sults showed that the response of the MOSFET detectors was linear with alp ha dose up to 25.68 Gy. Also\, it was found that a gate bias of between 15 V and 60 V would optimize the sensitivity of the detectors to alpha parti cles with energy of 5.5 MeV.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/14 6/contributions/4338/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4338/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Medium Energy Spectroscopy (MEX) – The spectroMEX High Resolutio n Crystal Spectrometer DTSTART:20211125T075300Z DTEND:20211125T075400Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4371@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mohamed Elrabiey (ANSTO)\, Simon James (ANSTO Austra lian Synchrotron)\, Ben Baldwinson (Australian Synchrotron)\, Ben Pocock ( ANSTO)\, Jeremy Wykes (Australian Synchrotron)\, Krystina Lamb (ANSTO)\, D anny Wong\, Emily Finch (Australian Synchrotron)\, Chris Glover (Australia n Synchrotron)\n\nThe MEX1 beamline high resolution crystal spectrometer\, spectroMEX\, comprises a Johann-type point-to-point focusing geometry cry stal spectrometer employing five spherically bent crystals on a 0.5 m diam eter Rowland circle. The primary application of spectroMEX is high energy resolution fluorescence-detected (HERFD) XANES\, wherein fluorescence XANE S is collected with an energy resolution of the order of the core-hole lif etime broadening. HERFD XANES spectra contain additional spectral informat ion when compared to conventional fluorescence or transmission XANES. spec troMEX also facilitates collection of high quality x-ray emission spectros copy data\, including the weak\, but chemically sensitive valence-to-core emission lines (vtc-XES). This talk will describe the spectroMEX spectrome ter design\, progress to date\, and present examples of the new spectrosco pic techniques available to synchrotron users employing spectroMEX at the MEX1 beamline.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contribution s/4371/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4371/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Hepatic lipid composition in dietary models of high iron NAFLD inv estigated with Synchrotron Infrared and X-Ray Fluorescence microscopy DTSTART:20211124T003500Z DTEND:20211124T005000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4260@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mark Tobin (ANSTO)\, Annaleise Klein (ANSTO)\, Mark John Hackett (Curtin University)\, Clinton Kidman (Curtin University)\, Ke ea Inder-Smith (Curtin University)\, Martin de Jonge (ANSTO)\, Jitraporn ( Pimm) Vongsvivut (Australian Synchrotron)\, Ross Graham (Curtin University )\, Cyril Mamotte (Curtin University)\, James Chasland (Curtin University) \n\nHepatocytes are essential for maintaining homeostasis of mammalian iro n and lipid metabolism. Serious health consequences have been linked to dy sregulation of both areas. One such consequence is non-alcoholic fatty liv er disease (NAFLD). Approximately 30% of individuals with NAFLD demonstrat e a moderate increase in hepatic iron\; however\, the mechanism and metabo lic consequences remain under-investigated. We assessed the metabolic cons equences using mice fed either a control or high fat (HF) diet\, with or w ithout high iron. Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Microscopy (Macro-A TR) at the Australian Synchrotron was used to investigate lipid compositio n and distribution\, and X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy (XRF) at the Diamon d Light Source (UK) was used to determine subcellular iron concentration a nd distribution. Peri-portal hepatocytes of HF fed animals exhibited eleva ted lipid parameters\, including ester and free fatty acid concentrations ~7x that of controls (P\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/con tributions/4260/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4260/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating the Therapeutic Benefit of Spermidine in a Pre-Clini cal Model of Muscular Dystrophy DTSTART:20211124T005000Z DTEND:20211124T010500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4262@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Lauryn Schaddee Van Dooren (University of Melbourne) \, Craig Goodman (University of Melbourne)\, Damian Myers (University of M elbourne )\, Nicholas Giourmas (Victoria University)\, Ahmed Al Saedi (Uni versity of Melbourne )\, Ali Ghasem Zadeh (University of Melbourne)\, Alan Hayes (University of Melbourne)\n\nResearch into treatment for Duchenne M uscular Dystrophy (DMD) typically focuses on deterioration of muscle\, how ever bone health is also severely compromised. Current treatment with cort icosteroids exacerbate bone loss\, so novel therapies targeting both muscl e and bone are needed. Studies on bone health in a pre-clinical model\, md x mice\, are limited and have conflicting results. \nObjective of study: T o characterise aspects of bone health in mdx mice and investigate whether spermidine might attenuate disease symptoms and spare bone. \nBone structu re and function were assessed in 16-week-old mdx mice femurs by three-poin t bending\, microarchitectural assessment using the Imaging and Medical Be amline (IMBL) at the Australian Synchrotron\, and by histological analysis . Cortical thickness and cortical bone area fraction were lower in dystrop hic mice compared to wild-type controls (WT). No differences were observed in metaphyseal trabecular bone morphometry. Three-point bending indicated that mdx femurs required less stress to reach yield point and failure but were able to sustain damage for a longer period (post-yield displacement) compared to WT mice. Despite this\, mdx femurs required more energy to re ach failure. Histology revealed lower osteoblast numbers in mdx mice. Sper midine treatment did not appear to compromise bone health in either WT or mdx mice which is important as current treatments typically worsen bone qu ality. This study provides novel data about aspects of skeletal morphology in mdx mice at 16 weeks of age\, and provides new techniques using pre-cl inical models to investigate potential therapies for DMD patients that mig ht target both muscle and bone.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event /146/contributions/4262/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4262/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Spectroscopic Analysis of Age-Related Changes in the Brain Lateral Ventricles During Ageing DTSTART:20211124T012000Z DTEND:20211124T013500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4271@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ryu Takechi (Curtin Health Innovation Research Insti tute\, Curtin University\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6102\, Australia. S chool of Public Health\, Curtin University\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6 102\, Australia.)\, Samuel Webb (Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsourc e\, Menlo Park\, California\, USA)\, Annaleise Klein (Australian Nuclear S cience and Technology Organisation\, 800 Blackburn Road\, Clayton\, VIC 31 68\, Australia)\, Sharon Bone (Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource\ , Menlo Park\, California\, USA)\, Ashley Hollings (School of Molecular an d Life Sciences\, Curtin University\, GPOBox U1987\, Bentley Western Austr alia 6845\, Australia. Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute\, Curti n University\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6102\, Australia.)\, Martin de Jonge (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation\, 800 Blackb urn Road\, Clayton\, VIC 3168\, Australia)\, Mark Tobin (Australian Nuclea r Science and Technology Organisation\, 800 Blackburn Road\, Clayton\, VIC 3168\, Australia)\, Jitraporn Vongsvivut (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation\, 800 Blackburn Road\, Clayton\, VIC 3168\, Austra lia)\, Virginie Lam (Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute\, Curtin University\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6102\, Australia. School of Publi c Health\, Curtin University\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6102\, Australi a.)\, John Mamo (Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute\, Curtin Univ ersity\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6102\, Australia. School of Public He alth\, Curtin University\, Bentley\, Western Australia 6102\, Australia.)\ , Mark Hackett (School of Molecular and Life Sciences\, Curtin University\ , GPOBox U1987\, Bentley Western Australia 6845\, Australia. Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute\, Curtin University\, Bentley\, Western Aus tralia 6102\, Australia.)\n\nAlzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and poses significant health and economic concerns. Currently \, the disease has no cure\, and it is expected that over 1 million people could be affected by 2058 in Australia alone. The content and distributio n of metals such as Fe\, Cu\, Zn is known to change in the ageing brain an d thus\, increased understanding of the mechanistic role of metal dis-home ostasis may illuminate new therapeutic strategies. The brain lateral ventr icles\, which play a role in controlling metal and ion transport\, have sh own increasing levels of copper surrounding their walls with ageing. As a redox active metal\, copper can induce oxidative stress which is a process that occurs during Alzheimer’s disease onset and progression. Our resea rch group has been interested in determining whether the age-related eleva tion of copper surrounding the lateral ventricles is inducing oxidative st ress in that region. In this study\, we have utilised X-Ray Absorption Spe ctroscopy (XAS) at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to analy se different chemical forms of sulfur and measure oxidative stress by anal ysis of disulfides. Additionally\, we used the infrared microscopy beamlin e at the Australian Synchrotron to identify whether any other markers of o xidative stress were present around the ventricles. Further insights into metal dis-homeostasis and its influence on other biochemical pathways\, ma y help to reveal some of the neurochemical mechanisms involved in progress ion of Alzheimer’s disease. In turn\, this may help pave the way for pot ential preventative or therapeutic models.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.o rg.au/event/146/contributions/4271/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4271/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Neutron Reflectometry Unravels Allergen-Lung Surfactant Monolayer Interactions in the Development of Pollen-Induced Thunderstorm Asthma DTSTART:20211124T030000Z DTEND:20211124T031500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4253@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Arslan Siddique (UNSW Sydney)\, Daniela Traini (Univ ersity of Sydney)\, Stuart Prescott (UNSW Chemical Engineering)\, Patrick Spicer (UNSW Sydney)\, Janet Davies (QUT)\, Hui X. Ong (University of Sydn ey)\, Andrew Nelson (ANSTO)\n\nPollen-induced thunderstorm asthma outbreak s affect thousands of individuals globally. Australians in particular suff er from it every year. Pollens\, the major culprit in thunderstorm asthma\ , are biological microparticles produced by flowering species of the plant s. Pollens encounter stormy environments including lightning and humidity in thunderstorms\, which results in liberation of associated allergen prot eins and probable reactions with reactive oxygen nitrogen species (RONS) f rom the environment\, before inhalation. Since allergen proteins are much smaller in size than whole pollen\, they can travel deep down in the lower airways where they initially interact with the lung surfactant monolayer present within the lumen of alveoli. Although meteorological\, pathologica l and immunological analyses support the role of pollen allergens in exace rbating asthma\, the physicochemical basis of this phenomenon is underinve stigated. \n\nIn this talk\, we present a model system to study the intera ctions between an allergen protein and a lung surfactant monolayer compose d of solid-supported dipalmiptoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayer. We mimic the stormy environment with plasma-activated water (PAW) and employ advanced analytical tools and techniques such as quartz crystal microbalan ce with dissipation (QCM-D) and neutron reflectometry (NR) to investigate the effect of RONS on the allergen protein and its subsequent interactions with the DPPC monolayer. Our experimental analysis revealed the attachmen t of RONS on the allergens when exposed to the PAW\, and QCM-D showed mass adsorption profiles. Furthermore\, NR showed the monolayer insertion and aggregation propensity of the allergens\, providing a deeper mechanistic i nsight into these interactions. The findings of this research will enable effective diagnostic strategies and therapeutics for the treatment of thun derstorm asthma.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributi ons/4253/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4253/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Investigating the role of Zn in glucose regulation using X-ray Flu orescence Microscopy and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy DTSTART:20211124T031500Z DTEND:20211124T033000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4263@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Keith Bambery (Australia's Nuclear Science and Techn ology Organisation (ANSTO))\, Ashley Hollings (Curtin University)\, Gaewyn Ellison (Curtin Innovation Health Research Institute (CHIRI)\, Curtin Uni versity)\, Ryusuke Takechi (Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (C HIRI)\, Curtin University)\, Mark Hackett (Curtin Health Innovation Resear ch Institute (CHIRI)\, Curtin University)\, Arazu Sharif (Curtin Innovatio n Health Research Institute (CHIRI)\,Curtin University)\, Daryl Howard (Au stralia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO))\n\nZinc pla ys an important function in glucose regulation\, particularly within pancr eatic islets\, the anatomical home of the glucose regulating hormones insu lin and glucagon. Glucose dysregulation is a significant contributor to th e epidemic of metabolic diseases\, including diabetes\, that affect an inc reasing number of people. Zn is found in very high (mM) concentrations in insulin-secreting β-cells\, where it facilitates insulin synthesis and st orage\, and is co-secreted with insulin\, subsequently acting as a signall ing molecule. Zn dysregulation is often coincident with impairment of insu lin secretion\, but little is known about the nature of the changes. Since a subset of the pool of Zn in islets is labile\, it is difficult to image in its *in vivo* situation using conventional techniques such as histoche mistry. Not only do preparation steps such as washing displace Zn\, but so me forms in which it exists are not readily discernible using conventional microscopy techniques. X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and X-ray abso rption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) offer several advantages i n that tissue preparation is minimal\, facilitating the conservation of na tive states\, and all forms of Zn are not only detectable\, but are able t o be discriminated by matching spectra against an existing library of Zn f orms. Here we report the preliminary results from our study of Zn speciati on and elemental mapping in murine islets from healthy or diabetes-prone a nimals in two age groups\, 14 (denoted young) or 28 (old) weeks. This work uses a library of biologically relevant Zn forms created in our laborator y\, and contributes to our understanding of the role of Zn in glucose regu lation in health and disease\, including aging.\n\nhttps://events.synchrot ron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4263/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4263/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:SPACE RADIATION AND INDIVIDUAL RADIOSENSITIVITY- ANSTO CAS & HUMAN HEALTH IN AIR BEAM EXPERIMENTS DTSTART:20211126T025000Z DTEND:20211126T030500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4267@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ryan Middleton (ANSTO)\, Nicholas Howell (ANSTO)\, Guo Jun Liu (ANSTO)\, Nicolas Foray (INSERM)\, David Zahra (ANSTO)\, Melan ie Lydia Ferlazzo (ANSTO)\n\nRadiation exposure is a major limiting factor for long duration manned space flights. \nRadiation protection standards are based on the assumption that individuals are equally resistant to ioni zing radiation. However\, for over a century\, there is evidence that huma ns do not respond equally to radiation. Particularly\, the studies of seco ndary effects post-radiotherapy have shown a great variability among indiv iduals. More specifically\, large discrepancies among astronauts after the same flight were observed. Recently\, from a collection of hundreds of fi broblast cell lines derived from patients suffering from genetic disease o r post-radiotherapy radiosensitivity\, we have shown that the delay in the nucleoshuttling of the ATM protein may cause a lack of double strand brea k (DSB) recognition\, incomplete DSB repair and radiosensitivity. Interes tingly\, the model of the ATM nucleoshuttling was shown to be relevant not only for low-dose and repeated exposures\, but also for high-LET particle s\, which renders this model compatible with space radiation exposure scen arios. Lastly\, this model could lead to a novel approach for radiation pr otection\, consisting of interventions to accelerate ATM nucleoshuttling. Such an approach may help in developing efficient countermeasures that co uld assist with manned space flights. In 2019-2021\, teams from ANSTO CAS and Human Health have been collaborating to adapt the ANTARES beamline for in air irradiation of living matter and study the effects of secondary ra diation produced by interraction of cosmic and galactic rays with spacecra ft shielding. DNA repair and mitochondrial activity processes will be stud ied.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4267/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4267/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Structural insights into the unique modes of relaxin-binding and t ethered-agonist mediated activation of RXFP1 and RXFP2 DTSTART:20211126T032000Z DTEND:20211126T033500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4274@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Fei Yan (University of Melbourne)\, Shoni Bruell\, M ichael D.W. Griffin (University of Melbourne)\, Riley D Metcalfe (Universi ty of Melbourne)\, Paul R. Gooley (University of Melbourne)\, Ross A.D. Ba thgate (University of Melbourne)\, Mohammad Akhter Hossain (University of Melbourne)\, Tim Ryan (ANSTO Monash\, Calyton)\, Daniel J. Scott (Universi ty of Melbourne)\, Ashish Sethi (University of Melbourne)\, Mohammad Hosse in Tanipour (University of Melbourne)\, Yee-Foong Mok (University of Melbo urne)\, Emma J. Petrie (University of Melbourne)\, Chris D Joyce (Universi ty of Melbourne)\, Yogesh Khandokar (ANSTO Monash\, Clayton)\n\nOur poor u nderstanding of the mechanism by which the peptide-hormone H2 relaxin acti vates its G protein-coupled receptor\, RXFP1 and the related receptor RXFP 2\, has hindered progress in its therapeutic development. Both receptors p ossess unique ectodomains that comprise of an N-terminal LDLa module joine d by a linker to a Leucine Rich Repeat (LRR) domain. Truncation of the N-t erminal LDLa module abolishes signalling for both receptors suggesting tha t the LDLa module is essential for activation and is postulated as a tethe red agonist\, induced to undergo a conformational change upon H2 relaxin b inding. \n\nHere\, we use Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)\, NMR spectr oscopy\, cell-based receptor signalling assays to show that it is not the LDLa module\, but rather a conserved motif (GDxxGWxxxF)\, immediately C-te rminal to the LDLa\, that is the essential tethered agonist. Importantly\, this motif associates with the LDLa module of both RXFP1 and RXFP2\, in d ifferent manners suggesting distinct mechanisms of activation. For RXFP1\, the motif is flexible\, weakly associates with the LDLa module\, and requ ires H2 relaxin binding to stabilize an active-state conformation. Convers ely\, the motif in RXFP2 does not possess the same flexibility as it does in RXFP1\, and appears to be more structured and closely associated with t he LDLa module\, forming an essential binding interface for H2 relaxin. H2 relaxin binding to RXFP2 needs both the LDLa module and the motif\, disti nct to RXFP1 and the tethered agonist activity of the motif is not driven by an induced conformational change in RXFP2\, also distinct to RXFP1. The se results highlight distinct differences in relaxin mediated activation m echanism of RXFP1 and RXFP2 which will aid drug development targeting thes e receptors.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/ 4274/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4274/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Using X-ray crystallography to understand bushfire-induced seed ge rmination DTSTART:20211126T003000Z DTEND:20211126T004500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4257@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mark Waters (The University of Western Australia)\, Sabrina Davies (The University of Western Australia)\, Charlie Bond (The U niversity of Western Australia)\n\nPassing the site of a bushfire a couple of weeks after it has burnt itself out\, you may notice a mass seed germi nation event taking place\, allowing the bush to completely come back to l ife. This fascinating phenomenon occurs due to compounds in bushfire smoke called karrikins\, which act as triggers for seed germination.\n\nAlthoug h we know this process occurs\, we don’t understand how karrikins intera ct with seeds or seedlings\, and what the little molecular machines – kn own as proteins – inside individual cells do to allow a seed to germinat e.\n\nX-ray crystallography is a technique where the atomic structure of a crystal can be determined via its diffraction pattern when placed in the beam of an X-ray source. By crystallising the proteins involved in karriki n signalling and shooting them at the MX beamlines at the Australian Synch rotron\, we are able to determine their structure and hence their function \; allowing us to piece together a complete picture of how karrikins work. \n\nOverall\, by understanding processes that control a plant’s growth a nd development\, we have new avenues to explore in terms of finding sustai nable agricultural techniques and effective methods of conservation and re storation.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/42 57/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4257/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Regional lung volume measures in small animal models from single p rojection X-ray images DTSTART:20211126T004500Z DTEND:20211126T010000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4276@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Megan Wallace (The Ritchie Centre)\, Kaye Morgan (Mo nash University)\, Erin McGillick (Hudson Institute of Medical Research\, Monash University)\, James Pollock (Monash University)\, Linda Croton (Mon ash University )\, Gary Ruben (Monash University)\, Marcus Kitchen (Monash University)\, Dylan O'Connell (Monash University)\, Stuart Hooper (Monash University)\n\nRegional Lung volume is a key parameter in assessing lung function and health. Computed Tomography (CT) is considered the gold stand ard for measuring lung volume\; however\, it requires a relatively high ra diation dose and typically has associated lower spatial and temporal resol ution than X-ray projection imaging. In this work\, we investigate whether regional lung volumes can be determined using 2D X-ray projections. The i dea is that as the lung inflates with air\, the attenuating tissue is disp laced leading to a localised increase in X-ray intensity. We imaged 13 New Zealand white rabbit kittens using high-resolution X-ray imaging and CT a t the IMBL at various airway pressures. From the 2D projections\, we conve rted changes in regional X-ray intensity through the lungs to changes in l ung air volume using the Beer-Lambert law\, under the assumption that the lungs of the animal were comprised of a single material (water). We measur ed the true air volumes from CT data for comparison. We found that relativ e changes in regional lung air volume derived from the 2D x-ray projection s showed a coefficient of determination ($\\mathrm{R}^2$) of 0.97 with CT data. This technique\, therefore\, provides a high speed\, low dose method for measuring regional changes in lung volume that we are now using for s tudying lung aeration at birth in preclinical animal models.\n\nhttps://ev ents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4276/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4276/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sub cellular scale mapping of deuterated compounds by nanoSIMS DTSTART:20211126T010000Z DTEND:20211126T011500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4282@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: jeremy bougoure (University of Western Australia)\, Haibo Jiang (University of Western Australia)\n\nHigh resolution imaging m ass spectrometry by nanoSIMS (nano scale secondary ion mass spectrometry) is a valuable method to observe deuterium accumulation in any number of sa mple types. NanoSIMS analysis is a high resolution isotope and elemental imaging technique for solid sample surfaces\, allows for spatial resolutio n as low as 50nm and has high sensitivity which makes it an ideal method f or observing deuterium accumulation in sub cellular features of any number of sample types. The nanoSIMS method allows for simultaneous analysis o f up to seven ion species\, meaning there is capacity to pair deuterium an alysis with other elemental or isotopic inquiry. In this presentation\, fu ndamentals of nanoSIMS analysis are explained with emphasis on application to deuterium observation. The Microscopy Australia supported nanoSIMS fac ility at The University of Western Australia has recently begun collabora tion with users that have sourced deuterated compounds from ANSTO based Na tional Deuteration Facility and these examples will be discussed in detail .\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4282/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4282/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Membrane permeabilisation is mediated by distinct epitopes in mous e and human orthologs of the necroptosis effector\, MLKL DTSTART:20211124T234500Z DTEND:20211125T000000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4259@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ahmad Wardak (WEHI)\, Joanne Hildebrand (WEHI)\, Emm a Petrie (WEHI)\, Peter Czabotar (WEHI)\, Chris Horne (WEHI)\, Cheree Fitz gibbon (WEHI)\, Ashish Sethi (Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology In stitute)\, Katherine Davies (WEHI)\, Sarah Garnish (WEHI)\, Paul Gooley (B io21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute)\, Karyn Wilde (ANSTO)\ , James Murphy (WEHI)\, André Samson (WEHI)\, Annette Jacobsen (WEHI)\n\n Necroptosis is a lytic programmed cell death pathway with origins in innat e immunity that is frequently dysregulated in inflammatory diseases. The t erminal effector of the pathway\, MLKL\, is licensed to kill following pho sphorylation of its pseudokinase domain by the upstream regulator\, RIPK3 kinase. Phosphorylation provokes the unleashing of MLKL’s N-terminal fou r-helix bundle (4HB or HeLo) domain\, which binds and permeabilises the pl asma membrane to cause cell death. The precise mechanism by which the 4HB domain permeabilises membranes\, and how the mechanism differs between spe cies\, remains unclear. Here\, we identify the membrane binding epitope of mouse MLKL using NMR spectroscopy. Using liposome permeabilisation and ce ll death assays\, we validate K69 in the α3 helix\, W108 in the α4 helix \, and R137/Q138 in the first brace helix as crucial residues for necropto tic signaling. This epitope differs from the phospholipid binding site rep orted for human MLKL\, which comprises basic residues primarily located in the α1 and α2 helices. In further contrast to human and plant MLKL orth ologs\, in which the α3-α4 loop forms a helix\, this loop is unstructure d in mouse MLKL in solution. Together\, these findings illustrate the vers atility of the 4HB domain fold\, whose lytic function can be mediated by d istinct epitopes in different orthologs.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org .au/event/146/contributions/4259/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4259/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Disulfide bond formation between T-cell receptor and peptide antig en lowers the threshold of T cell activation DTSTART:20211125T000000Z DTEND:20211125T001500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4261@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Christopher Szeto (La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science)\n\nThe immune system is vigilant in detecting foreign pathogens. Our cells present peptides (p)\, small fragments of proteins\, atop Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) glycoproteins. These pMHC molecules are d isplayed on the cell’s surface and monitored by T cells of the immune sy stem that patrol the body. T cells use their specialized T cell receptors (TCRs) to recognize and bind to pMHCs\, where the quality of binding influ ences T cell activation. Activated T cells are responsible for killing off infected cells and clearing infection. The contribution of individual par ameters that dictate activation for this cell-to-cell TCR-pMHC interaction are unclear. However\, a long reigning hypothesis is that the threshold o f T cell activation can be determined by the dissociation constant or bind ing affinity. We have engineered a disulfide bond (DSB) between two cystei ne residues introduced into a TCR and peptide that are known to form a TCR -pMHC complex. The formation of the DSB was validated using biophysical as says and X-ray crystallography. This approach represents a model in which the covalently bonded TCR-pMHC do not dissociate\, prolonging the confinem ent time of the interaction almost indefinitely. When this TCR and pMHC mo del were reproduced in T cells\, we discovered that the DSB interaction wa s 10\,000-fold more sensitive in activating T cells than the wild-type cou nterpart without altering binding affinity. Thus\, we show that confineme nt time plays an important role in the activation of T cells\, which could be useful in designing T cell therapies or peptide vaccines.\n\nhttps://e vents.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4261/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4261/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Human MLKL is maintained by RIPK3 in an inactive conformation prio r to disengagement and cell death by necroptosis DTSTART:20211125T003000Z DTEND:20211125T004500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4272@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jarrod Sandow\, Yanxiang Meng (WEHI)\, Sarah Garnish \, Emma Petrie\, Angus Cowan\, Guillaume Lessene\, Peter Czabotar\, Akiko Koide\, Katherine Davies\, Natarajan Kannan\, Andrew Webb\, Lung-Yu Liang\ , Samuel Young\, Shohei Koide\, Wayland Yeung\, Christopher Horne\, Annett e Jacobsen\, Phoebe Smith\, Andre Samson\, James Murphy\, Cheree Fitzgibbo n\, Joanne Hildebrand\, Cindy Luo\, Eric Denbaum\n\nNecroptosis is a caspa se-independent form of programmed cell death that results in the compromis e of plasma membranes and release of inflammatory cellular contents. Dysre gulated necroptosis has been shown to play a role in a range of different human pathologies\, including ischemia-reperfusion injury\, inflammatory d iseases\, and inflammatory bowel disease. Phosphorylation of MLKL by the R IPK3 kinase leads to MLKL oligomerization\, translocation to\, and permeab ilization of\, the plasma membrane to induce necroptotic cell death. The p recise choreography of MLKL activation remains incompletely understood. He re\, we used Monobodies\, synthetic binding proteins\, that bind the pseud okinase domain of MLKL to detect endogenous protein interactions within hu man cells. We showed that MLKL is stably bound by RIPK3 prior to their dis engagement upon necroptosis induction. Crystal structures of MLKL pseudoki nase domain in complex with two different monobodies or RIPK3 kinase domai n identified two distinct conformations of MLKL pseudokinase domain. These structures support that human RIPK3 maintains MLKL in an inactive conform ation prior to the induction of necroptosis. These studies provide further evidence that MLKL undergoes a large conformational change upon activatio n and identify MLKL disengagement from RIPK3 as a key regulatory step in t he necroptosis pathway.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/con tributions/4272/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4272/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Determining the role of protein aggregation in COVID-19 DTSTART:20211125T010000Z DTEND:20211125T011500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4279@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nicholas Reynolds (La Trobe University)\n\nCOVID-19 is primarily known as a respiratory disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 . However\, neurological symptoms such as memory loss\, sensory confusion\ , cognitive and psychiatric issues\, severe headaches\, and even stroke ar e reported in as many as 30 % of cases and can persist even after the infe ction is over (so-called ‘long COVID’). These neurological symptoms ar e thought to be caused by brain inflammation and toxicity\, triggered by t he virus infecting the central nervous system of COVID-19 patients\, howev er we still don’t understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning this neurotoxicity. The neurological effects of COVID-19 share many similariti es to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s in which the presence of cytotoxic self-assembled protein aggregates\, known as amyloid nanofibrils are a common hallmark. This led us to hypothesise t hat self-assembled amyloid aggregates maybe present in the proteome of SAR S-CoV-2 and responsible for some of the neurological symptoms of COVID-19. In this work we identified several peptides sequences within the proteome of SARS-CoV-2 that have a strong tendency to spontaneously self-assemble into amyloid aggregates. We performed an extensive characterisation of the in vitro toxicity and biophysical properties of these assemblies using a variety of techniques. We used data recorded at the SAXS/WAXS beamline at the Australian Synchrotron to provide insights into the nanoscale morpholo gy and molecular structure of these assemblies. Based on these results we introduce the idea that cytotoxic amyloid aggregates of SARS-CoV-2 protein s are causing some of the neurological symptoms commonly found in COVID-19 and contributing to long COVID.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/even t/146/contributions/4279/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4279/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Quantifying the robustness of neutron reflectometry for analysing polymer brush structure DTSTART:20211124T045000Z DTEND:20211124T050500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4288@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Erica Wanless (erica.wanless@newcastle.edu.au)\, Stu art Prescott (UNSW Chemical Engineering)\, Timothy Murdoch (Loughborough U niversity)\, Hayden Robertson (University of Newcastle)\, Grant Webber (Un iversity of Newcastle)\, Edwin Johnson (Sheffield University)\, Andrew Nel son (ANSTO)\, Isaac Gresham (The University of New South Wales)\n\nSurface s covered with densely tethered polymer chains possess desirable propertie s and are ubiquitous in natural and human-made systems. These properties s tem from the diffuse structure of these polymer brush interfaces\; consequ ently\, resolving their structure is key to designing systems with better performance. NR has been widely used for studying these systems as it is t he only technique that can resolve the detailed structure of these films\, the polymer volume fraction profile.\n\nHowever\, the analysis of collect ed reflectometry data has significant challenges\; inflexible models precl ude viable structures and the uncertainty around accepted profiles (spread ) is challenging to quantify. Furthermore\, there is no guarantee of profi le uniqueness in reflectivity analysis - multiple structures may match the data equally well (multimodality). Quantifying these uncertainties has no t been attempted on brush systems\, but is a vital part of validating the application of NR for structural characterisation. Historically\, data ana lyses have used least-squares approaches\, which can’t satisfactorily de termine profile uncertainty.\n\nHere we outline the methodology we have de veloped for modelling NR data. We model our brush with a freeform profile that minimises assumptions regarding polymer conformation while enforcing physically reasonable structures. We employ a Bayesian statistical framewo rk that enables the characterisation of structural uncertainty and multimo dality through Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. The Bayesian approach le ts us introduce prior knowledge into the analysis procedure\; the amount o f grafted polymer should remain constant under different conditions.\n\nTh e rigour of our approach is demonstrated via a round-trip analysis of a si mulated system\, as well as data collected on thermoresponsive brushes. A low level of uncertainty was observed\, confirming the validity of NR for examining polymer brush systems.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/even t/146/contributions/4288/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4288/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Molecular binding and exchange between model membranes and biologi cally relevant lipid assemblies DTSTART:20211125T234500Z DTEND:20211126T000500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4283@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Marité Cárdenas (Malmö University and Nanyang Tec hnological University)\n\nModel cellular membranes are often used to under stand the interactions with biomolecules and nanoparticles[1]\, but the ef fects of such interactions go beyond molecular binding and include process es such as biomembrane restructuring and molecular exchange that may lead to changes in the structure and composition of the interacting nanoparticl es.\nHere I will present our most recent work aiming at increasing the und erstanding of the role of biomembrane structure and composition on the fun ction of lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are nanoemulsion-like particles compos ed of fats and proteins (apolipoproteins).[2] The complexity of lipoprotei ns is great\,with different amounts and types of fats and proteins. We us e lipoproteins from human healthy adults and look systematically at their capacity to exchange lipids as a function of membrane composition. We find that membrane charge\, level of unsaturation in the acyl tails and presen ce of cholesterol all regulate lipoprotein function[3]–[5]. We also show significant differences in the exchange capacity of synthetic lipoprotein s reconstituted with a single apolipoprotein type[6].\nFurther\, we show t hat the incubation with SARS CoV2 Spike proteins affects the exchange capa city of lipoproteins[7] that may be linked to the altered cholesterol meta bolism in COVID19 patients.\nFinally\, apolipoproteins also exchange and w e demonstrate that their binding to Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) affec t the structure and composition of these particles[8]. The extent to which this component redistribution takes place may be correlated with the LNP ’s capacity for protein expression and thus their therapeutic efficiency .\nAll these experiments are possible thanks to neutron scattering combine d with deuteration\, since this an ideal approach to study the structure a nd dynamics of multicomponent systems where different parts of the system can be highlighted individually[8]–[11].\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.o rg.au/event/146/contributions/4283/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4283/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Muti-Scale Dynamic Study on The Amphiphilic Nanostructure of Proti c Ionic Liquids DTSTART:20211124T050500Z DTEND:20211124T052000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4291@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Michael Gradzielski (TU Berlin)\, Bela Farago (Insti tut Max von Laue-Paul Langevin)\, Gregory Warr (The University of Sydney)\ , Shurui Miao (The University of Sydney)\, Ingo Hoffmann (Institut Max von Laue-Paul Langevin)\n\nIonic liquids are a novel class of solvents with u ltra-low vapour pressure and tunable liquid properties. Among them\, proti c ionic liquids (PILs) are particularly effective solvents for self-assemb ly of surfactants and lipids into micelles\, vesicles\, liquid crystals an d microemulsions. This is exemplified by alkylammonium PILs\, which are al so cheap\, easily prepared and can be readily deuterated. Over the past de cade\, much is learnt about the static structure of alkylammonium PILs\, h owever\, virtually nothing is known about their dynamics\, both the single ion diffusion and the collective motion of clusters. This is due to the c omplex and disordered nature of liquid nanostructure\, which is expected t o display a range of dynamic behaviors on different time and length scale. In this study\, we have examined ethanolammonium nitrate\, ethylammonium nitrate and propylammonium nitrate\, using a variety of dynamic techniques . We employed multi-contrast wide-angle neutron spin echo spectroscopy (WA SP\, ILL) to capture the nanosecond relaxations across 0.1 – 1.4 Å^-1\, and pulse-field gradient NMR to track molecular diffusion. Combined with their known averaged liquid nanostructures\, we have now characterized the static and dynamic nanostructure of three protic ionic liquids\, carefull y chosen to demonstrate different degrees of ordering\, at multiple temper atures. This allows us to understand the structure-property relationship o f alkylammonium PILs across a wide space and time scale\, which has the po tential to unlock rational design of job-specific PIL-based solvent system s.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4291/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4291/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:How Do Ion Specific Effects Operate in Ionic Liquids? DTSTART:20211126T010500Z DTEND:20211126T012000Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4299@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Joshua Marlow (University of Sydney)\, Shurui Miao\, Oliver Alderman (ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source)\, Gregory Warr (The University of Sydney)\, Rob Atkin (University of Western Australia)\n\nRe cent work has found that the identity of a surfactant's counter-ion can af fect the critical micelle concentration\, and the size and shape of result ant micelles in ionic liquid (IL) and choline-based deep eutectic solvents .[1\,2] This indicates the presence of ion specific effects for micellisat ion in these neoteric solvents despite their high ionic strength.[3] This project examines this phenomenon further\, by investigating a range of cho line salts (chloride\, bromide\, and nitrate) in different nitrate-based I Ls (ethylammonium\, propylammonium\, and ethanolammonium nitrate) *via* me asurements taken on the Small Angle Neutron Diffractometer for Amorphous a nd Liquid Samples (SANDALS) beamline at ISIS. These results bring new insi ght into how ion specific effects can exist in high ionic strength neoteri c solvents\, and the parameters involved in controlling this surprising ph enomenon.\n\n(1) Dolan\, A.\; Atkin\, R.\; G. Warr\, G. The Origin of Sur factant Amphiphilicity and Self-Assembly in Protic Ionic Liquids. Chemical Science 2015\, 6 (11)\, 6189–6198. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC01202C.\ n(2) Sanchez-Fernandez\, A.\; S. Hammond\, O.\; J. Edler\, K.\; Arnold\, T.\; Doutch\, J.\; M. Dalgliesh\, R.\; Li\, P.\; Ma\, K.\; J. Jackson\, A. Counterion Binding Alters Surfactant Self-Assembly in Deep Eutectic So lvents. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2018\, 20 (20)\, 13952–13961 . https://doi.org/10.1039/C8CP01008K.\n(3) Warr\, G. G.\; Atkin\, R. Solvo phobicity and Amphiphilic Self-Assembly in Neoteric and Nanostructured Sol vents. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 2020\, 45\, 83–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cocis.2019.12.009.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotro n.org.au/event/146/contributions/4299/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4299/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Jaws caught on the IMBL DTSTART:20211125T023000Z DTEND:20211125T024500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4264@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Daniel Hausermann (Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO))\, Olga Panagiotopoulou (Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology\, Mon ash University)\, Chris Hall (Australian Synchrotron)\, Anton Maksimenko ( Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO) )\, Michael De Veer (Monash Biomedical Ima ging\, Monash University)\, Charlie Huveneers (College of Science and Engi neering\, Flinders University)\, David Reser (School of Rural Health\, Mon ash University )\, David Wright (Department of Neuroscience\, Monash Unive rsity)\n\nMaturational changes in feeding behaviour among sharks are assoc iated with increased mineralisation of the teeth and jaws\, but this relat ionship has only been demonstrated in a few species. Large\, highly mobile shark species are rarely available for detailed anatomical study\, despit e their importance for ecological health and widespread interest among the general population. We examined the crania\, jaws\, and teeth of two grea t white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias)\, a 2.3 m juvenile and a 3.2 m you ng adult.\n\nThe CT scans used a 230 keV (mean energy) polychromatic beam from the 4 Tesla wiggler\, with a filtration of 6mmAl\, 6mmCu\, 3mmMo and 3mmPb. The detector was a Teledyne-Dalsa Xineos 3030HR with 100µm pixels\ , a width of 300mm\, and a 1mm CsI converter for high efficiency at high e nergy. Image noise was reduced by collecting 18\,000 projections per rotat ion to deliver an image quality good enough to segment out different tissu e types. With a beam size of 300mm x 35mm\, the shark head was covered by ‘tiling’\, and stitching the tiles\, with the full-head image made up of two columns and 21 tiles\, to image a 600mm x 520mm area. Total scan ti me was 9 hours.\n\nThe heads were also imaged using conventional CT and 7 Tesla MRI for finite element modelling of bite forces produced by the jaw musculature. These results will be compared with measurements of the diffe rence in mineralisation of tooth and jaw cartilage between the two specime ns to assess developmental changes in tooth and jaw hardness as the animal s shift their diets from largely fish-based (juvenile) to larger prey\, su ch as seals\, scavenged whales and surfers (adults).\n\nhttps://events.syn chrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4264/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4264/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Stability and Applications of Model Membranes DTSTART:20211125T075400Z DTEND:20211125T075500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4184@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ingo Koeper (Flinders University)\, Alex Ashenden (F linders University)\n\nBiological cell membranes are a critical component of all living organisms. The cell membrane is a semi-permeable lipid bilay er controlling movement of ions and other molecules from one of the cell s ide to the other\, and is primarily made up of amphiphilic lipid molecules .\n \nOur research group has previously developed a model system whereby a lipid bilayer is tethered to a solid supporting structure. The resulting tethered-bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) are highly stable in aqueous solu tion and the tethering region provides a reservoir under the bilayer to al low protein incorporation and minimise bilayer/substrate interactions. In the presence of an aqueous solution tBLMs have been shown to be stable for periods as long as multiple weeks with only minor degradation.\n\nThis pr oject is focused on understanding the effects that drying a model membrane out can have on its structure. This work is important for better understa nding the water retention properties of tBLMs in order to determine their suitability for use in biosensing\, where they may not be able to be compl etely submerged in solution\, and whether additional protective coatings m ay be necessary to improve retention. Similar work has already been perfor med on other model systems such as black lipid membranes\, but only tentat ively in the field of tBLMs. \n\nElectrochemical impedance spectroscopy (E IS) has been used to model changes in membrane structure through the rehyd ration process as well as the resulting functionality\, with neutron refle ctometry approved to be performed in future to determine more layer-specif ic effects.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4 184/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4184/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Deuteration at the NDF: facility overview and update on diversity of capabilities\, user program and impact. DTSTART:20211124T024000Z DTEND:20211124T025500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4329@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Nageshwar Rao Yepuri (National Deuteration Facility\ , ANSTO)\, Carl Recsei (National Deuteration Facility\, ANSTO)\, Agata Rek as (National Deuteration Facility\, ANSTO)\, Anthony Duff (National Deuter ation Facility\, ANSTO)\, Karyn Wilde (National Deuteration Facility\, ANS TO)\, Marina Cagnes (National Deuteration Facility\, ANSTO)\, Michael Moir (National Deuteration Facility\, ANSTO)\, Rob Russell (National Deuterati on Facility\, ANSTO)\, Anwen KRAUSE-HEUER (National Deuteration Facility\ , ANSTO)\, Tamim Darwish (National Deuteration Facility\, ANSTO)\n\nDeuter ation can provide contrast and improved resolution to assist investigation s into the relationship between molecular structure and function of molecu les of both biological and synthetic origin. Molecular deuteration of orga nic compounds and biomolecules increases options available in characterisa tion and complex structure function investigations using neutron scatterin g and reflectometry\, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)\, mass spectrometry (MS) and other techniques and also creates functional materials with supe rior properties in life sciences\, pharmaceutical and advanced technology applications. \nThe National Deuteration Facility (NDF) at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has the specialised ex pertise and infrastructure to deliver deuteration through both biological and chemical molecular deuteration techniques to provide for a range of ex perimental and research applications that benefit from availability of cus tom deuterated molecules. The NDF has developed a suite of capabilities su pporting researcher and industry access to a diversity of molecules. Capab ilities include production of isotopically labelled proteins (variably deu terated\, multiple-labelled - 2H\, 13C\, 15N) and cholesterol-*d45* throug h bacterial recombinant expression and bio-engineered yeast growth respect ively and catalysed 1H/2H exchange and chemical synthesis of a wide range of small organic molecules using tailored deuteration approaches to provid e bespoke deuterated molecules generally unavailable commercially. This in cludes a range of deuterated lipids\, unsaturated phospholipids (e.g. POPC and DOPC)\, surfactants\, ionic liquids\, fatty acids and detergents. Ava ilability of these molecules widens the breadth of systems that can be inv estigated with applications across multiple research fields.\nAn overview and update on the NDF will be provided including details on the NDF User P rogram and modes of access\, capability advancements and brief highlights of research enabled through utilisation of deuterated molecules produced b y the NDF.\n\nhttps://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/43 29/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4329/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Medium Energy Spectroscopy (MEX) - Opportunities for Microspectros copy DTSTART:20211126T005000Z DTEND:20211126T010500Z DTSTAMP:20261007T043000Z UID:indico-contribution-4328@events.synchrotron.org.au DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jeremy Wykes (Australian Synchrotron)\, Simon Pocock (ANSTO)\, Krystina Lamb (ANSTO)\, Emily Finch (Australian Synchrotron)\, Simon James (ANSTO Australian Synchrotron)\, Chris Glover (Australian Sync hrotron)\n\nThe medium energy range offers unique opportunities for synchr otron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy across the sciences. In particul ar\, the K-absorption edges of alkali and alkali earth elements\, *e.g.* K and Ca\, *s*-group elements\, *e.g.* S\, P and Se\, along with *d*-block elements\, *e.g.* Mn\, Fe\, Cu all fall within this energy range. As do va rious L- and M-edges for heavier elements\, e.g. Pb and U. The nascent Med ium Energy X-ray Spectroscopy (MEX) beamlines will access these edges and offer unique opportunities to study the local structure\, speciation\, and chemistry of compounds and systems critical to biological\, environmental \, geological and industrial processes. \n\nTypically\, characterisation o f specific metal-ligand species requires isolation of the complex\, necess itating disruption of native systems despite the attendant risk of redistr ibution and loss of chemical context. Despite the confounding potential of typical preparation methodologies\, the tools available to coordination c hemistry *in situ* have remained limited. The continuing synergy between s ynchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy represents a powerful new analyti cal approach for studying chemistry in context.\n\nUsing illustrative exam ples and highlighting particular techniques\, this presentation will intro duce one of MEX's major end stations\, the scanning X-ray fluorescence mic roprobe ($\\mu$MEX). To be installed on the MEX1 beamline\, operating betw een 2 and 13.6 keV and focusing X-rays into a spot\, less than 5 microns i n diameter $\\mu$MEX will offer unique opportunities for synchrotron-based X-ray microspectroscopy. To date\, the scarcity of such optimised facilit ies leaves many exciting scientific questions to be explored though such m easurements also involve unique experimental challenges.\n\nhttps://events .synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4328/ LOCATION:Online URL:https://events.synchrotron.org.au/event/146/contributions/4328/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR